Patent US4517445A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5648971A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5648971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communication apparatus providing improved information on the states of data channels
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1997-07-15
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract In a communication system having a plurality of communication apparatus connected to at least one line, each communication apparatus has detection circuitry for detecting a call signal from the line to other communication apparatus and inform circuitry for informing such call or circuitry for altering such call to a call to its own apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukihiko Ogata
- 👤 Takuji Nakatsuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0435; H04Q11/0471; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/71; H04M1/715; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/097; H04Q2213/13096; H04Q2213/13097; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/13299; H04Q2213/173; H04Q2213/18; H04Q2213/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A communication apparatus communicating via a digital communication line which has a control channel and a plurality of data channels, comprising: conversion means for converting digital voice data from the data channels of the digital communication line to analog voice signals; output means for outputting the analog voice signals as audible tones, discriminating means for discriminating states of the plurality of data channels on the basis of signals of the control channel, and generating means for generating analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating means, and for causing said output means to output the analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels as audible tones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A communication apparatus communicating via a digital communication line which has a control channel and a plurality of data channels, comprising: conversion means for converting digital voice data from the data channels of the digital communication line to analog voice signals; output means for outputting the analog voice signals as audible tones, discriminating means for discriminating states of the plurality of data channels on the basis of signals of the control channel, and generating means for generating analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating means, and for causing said output means to output the analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels as audible tones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication apparatus is connected to the digital communication line via a line control unit which connects other communication apparatus to the digital communication line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital communication line is a line of an integrated services digital network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signals of the control channel include a call command and a disconnect command.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said generating means generates a voice message indicating the states of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said generating means generates a predetermined tone signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
A communication apparatus used in a communication system in which a plurality of communication terminals use at least a communication line in common, comprising: detecting means for detecting a state of the communication line; generation means for generating a communication request; and informing means responsive to the communication request for informing an operator of said communication apparatus, in accordance with a detection result by said detecting means, that the communication line is available, wherein in a case where the communication line is busy when the communication request is generated, said informing means monitors the state of the communication line and, when the communication line becomes available, informs that the communication line is available.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
A communication apparatus used in a communication system in which a plurality of communication terminals use at least a communication line in common, comprising: detecting means for detecting a state of the communication line; generation means for generating a communication request; and informing means responsive to the communication request for informing an operator of said communication apparatus, in accordance with a detection result by said detecting means, that the communication line is available, wherein in a case where the communication line is busy when the communication request is generated, said informing means monitors the state of the communication line and, when the communication line becomes available, informs that the communication line is available.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said informing means informs of the availability of the communication line by sound.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a handset for speech communication.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication line has a control channel and a plurality of data channels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication system has a line control unit for connecting, to the communication line, a bus line to which the communication terminals are connected, and said detecting means detects the state of the communication line in accordance with a signal of the bus line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A communication apparatus used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising: monitoring means for monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating means for discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and display means for displaying the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
A communication apparatus used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising: monitoring means for monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating means for discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and display means for displaying the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means displays each state of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a handset for speech communication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the communication line is a line of an integrated services digital network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the signals of the bus line include a call command and a disconnect command.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
112 words
A communication apparatus used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising: monitoring means for monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating means for discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and informing means for informing an operator of the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
112 words
A communication apparatus used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising: monitoring means for monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating means for discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and informing means for informing an operator of the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a handset for speech communication.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the communication line is a line of an integrated services digital network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the signals of the bus line include a call command and a disconnect command.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said informing means comprises generating means for generating a sound indicating the states of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said informing means comprises display means for displaying the states of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of operating a communication apparatus communicating via a digital communication line which has a control channel and a plurality of data channels, comprising the steps of: converting digital voice data from the data channels of the digital communication line to analog voice signals; outputting the analog voice signals as audible tones, discriminating states of the plurality of data channels on the basis of signals of the control channel, and generating analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating step, and for causing said output step to output the analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels as audible tones.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of operating a communication apparatus communicating via a digital communication line which has a control channel and a plurality of data channels, comprising the steps of: converting digital voice data from the data channels of the digital communication line to analog voice signals; outputting the analog voice signals as audible tones, discriminating states of the plurality of data channels on the basis of signals of the control channel, and generating analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating step, and for causing said output step to output the analog voice signals indicating the states of the plurality of data channels as audible tones.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein the communication apparatus is connected to the digital communication line via a line control unit which connects other communication apparatus to the digital communication line.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein the digital communication line is a line of an integrated services digital network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein the signals of the control channel include a call command and a disconnect command.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said generating step generates a voice message indicating the states of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said generating step generates a predetermined tone signal.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of operating a communication apparatus used in a communication system in which a plurality of communication terminals use at least a communication line in common, comprising the steps of: detecting a state of the communication line; generating a communication request; and responsive to the communication request, informing an operator of the communication apparatus, in accordance with a detection result by said detecting step, that the communication line is available, wherein in a case where the communication line is busy when the communication request is generated, said informing step monitors the state of the communication line and, when the communication line becomes available, informs that the communication line is available.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of operating a communication apparatus used in a communication system in which a plurality of communication terminals use at least a communication line in common, comprising the steps of: detecting a state of the communication line; generating a communication request; and responsive to the communication request, informing an operator of the communication apparatus, in accordance with a detection result by said detecting step, that the communication line is available, wherein in a case where the communication line is busy when the communication request is generated, said informing step monitors the state of the communication line and, when the communication line becomes available, informs that the communication line is available.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said informing step informs of the availability of the communication line by sound.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein the communication apparatus comprises a handset for speech communication.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein the communication line has a control channel and a plurality of data channels.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein the communication system has a line control unit for connecting, to the communication line, a bus line to which the communication terminals are connected, and said detecting step detects the state of the communication line in accordance with a signal of the bus line.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of operating a communication apparatus used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising the steps of: monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and displaying the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating step.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of operating a communication apparatus used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising the steps of: monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and displaying the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating step.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein said display step displays each state of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein the communication apparatus comprises a handset for speech communication.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein the communication line is a line of an integrated services digital network.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein the signals of the bus line include a call command and a disconnect command.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
105 words
A method used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising the steps of: monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and informing an operator of the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating step.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
105 words
A method used in a communication system which has a line control unit for connecting, to a communication line having a control channel and a plurality of data channels, a bus line to which a plurality of communication terminals are connected, and in which the plurality of communication terminals use the communication line in common, comprising the steps of: monitoring signals of the bus line; discriminating states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with the signals of the bus line; and informing an operator of the states of the plurality of data channels in accordance with a discrimination result by said discriminating step.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein the communication apparatus comprises a handset for speech communication.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein the communication line is a line of an integrated services digital network.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein the signals of the bus line include a call command and a disconnect command.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein said informing step comprises a generating step of generating a sound indicating the states of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein said informing step comprises a display step of displaying the states of the plurality of data channels.
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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) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |