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US5719925A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for remotely controlling a telephone loop/channel from another telephone loop/channel

Assignee: TALKSWITCH Inc
•
Filing: 1995-03-30
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Granted: 1998-02-17
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Expires: 2015-03-30
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Abstract

Abstract Techniques for establishing a connection between a calling party and a called party using the processing of a controller located on a customer premises and served by two incoming telephone loops or ISDN-type channels so as to minimize telephone costs, preserve privacy, and provide heretofore unavailable services. After a first telephony connection is established with the calling party over the secondary loop/channel, the calling party provides control information to the controller. The controller utilizes the control information to establish a connection over the primary loop/channel, and the primary and secondary loops/channels are bridged so that the calling party may monitor the call progression on the primary loop/channel and provide supplemental control information, as needed.

Inventors

  • 👤 John T. Peoples

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 23:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/80; H04M15/8083; H04M15/08; H04M15/56; H04M15/90; H04M3/00; H04M3/38; H04M3/382; H04M3/42; H04M3/42195; H04M3/48; H04M3/50; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0435; H04Q11/0457; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/016; H04M2215/0184; H04M2215/20; H04M2215/202; H04M2215/62; H04M3/002; H04M3/44; H04M3/54; H04M3/56; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13091; H04Q2213/13092; H04Q2213/13095; H04Q2213/13097; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13106; H04Q2213/13152; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/1318; H04Q2213/1319; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/13282; H04Q2213/1332; H04Q2213/13322; H04Q2213/13331; H04Q2213/13349; H04Q2213/13372

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 180 words
A method for interconnecting first and second subscriber loops via a controller located at a subscriber premises wherein both the loops terminate in the controller and are served by the same public central switching office, the method comprising the steps of in response to an incoming call on the second subscriber loop from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second subscriber loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller, providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller, remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first subscriber loop, controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 180 words
A method for interconnecting first and second subscriber loops via a controller located at a subscriber premises wherein both the loops terminate in the controller and are served by the same public central switching office, the method comprising the steps of in response to an incoming call on the second subscriber loop from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second subscriber loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller, providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller, remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first subscriber loop, controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein one of the menu operations is a call connection function having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone over the first subscriber loop, and the information includes the telephone number to be called using the first subscriber loop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 60 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the central switching office provides a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding code followed by the telephone number to which an incoming call to the first subscriber loop is to be forwarded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the central switching office provides a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding cancel code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further including the step of verifying a security code provided by the calling party prior to initiating the step of providing a menu of selectable operations.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 275 words
A method for interconnecting first and second subscriber loops via a controller located at a subscriber premises wherein both the loops terminate in the controller, the method comprising the steps of in response to an incoming call on the second subscriber loop from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second subscriber loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller. providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller, remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first subscriber loop, controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop, monitoring the call connection for an identification code, removing the bridged connection, again providing the menu of selectable operations to the calling party over the second subscriber loop via the controller, remotely selecting a second one of the operations by the calling party, controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the second selected one of the operations, and bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a second bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 275 words
A method for interconnecting first and second subscriber loops via a controller located at a subscriber premises wherein both the loops terminate in the controller, the method comprising the steps of in response to an incoming call on the second subscriber loop from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second subscriber loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller. providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller, remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first subscriber loop, controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop, monitoring the call connection for an identification code, removing the bridged connection, again providing the menu of selectable operations to the calling party over the second subscriber loop via the controller, remotely selecting a second one of the operations by the calling party, controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the second selected one of the operations, and bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a second bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 158 words
A method for establishing a call connection over a subscriber loop terminating in a controller, the method comprising the steps of storing a pre-selected telephone number in the controller, detecting a first incoming call signal over the loop via the controller without completing a call connection over the loop, storing information relating to the time of arrival of the first incoming call signal in the controller, detecting a second incoming call signal over the loop without completing a call connection over the loop, storing information relating to the time of arrival of the second incoming call signal, if the time difference between the time of arrival of the second incoming call and the time of arrival of the first incoming call is less than a pre-determined value, initiating an outgoing call over the loop with reference to the pre-selected telephone number, and establishing a call connection between the loop and the controller whenever the outgoing call is answered.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 158 words
A method for establishing a call connection over a subscriber loop terminating in a controller, the method comprising the steps of storing a pre-selected telephone number in the controller, detecting a first incoming call signal over the loop via the controller without completing a call connection over the loop, storing information relating to the time of arrival of the first incoming call signal in the controller, detecting a second incoming call signal over the loop without completing a call connection over the loop, storing information relating to the time of arrival of the second incoming call signal, if the time difference between the time of arrival of the second incoming call and the time of arrival of the first incoming call is less than a pre-determined value, initiating an outgoing call over the loop with reference to the pre-selected telephone number, and establishing a call connection between the loop and the controller whenever the outgoing call is answered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 158 words
The method as recited in claim 7 further including another subscriber loop incoming to the controller, the method further comprising the steps of establishing a call connection between the other subscriber loop and the controller whenever the outgoing call is answered by a called party remotely responding to the outgoing call, providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the called party via the controller, remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the called party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the other subscriber loop, controlling the other subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and bridging the subscriber loop and the other subscriber loop to form a bridged connection so as to allow the called party to monitor the other subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the other subscriber loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method as recited in claim 8 wherein one of the menu operations is a call connection function having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone over the other subscriber loop, and the information includes the telephone number to be called using the other subscriber loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 66 words
The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the other subscriber loop is served by a central office providing a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding code followed by the telephone number to which an incoming call to the other subscriber loop is to be forwarded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 48 words
The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the other subscriber loop is served by a central office providing a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding cancel code.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 176 words
A method for interconnecting first and second ISDN channels of an ISDN line via a controller located at a subscriber premises, the ISDN line being served by a public central switching office, the method comprising the steps of in response to an incoming calling on the second ISDN channel from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second ISDN channel via the controller between the calling party and the controller, providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller, remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first ISDN channel, controlling the first ISDN channel via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and bridging the first and second channels to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first ISDN channel and, whenever required, to provide information to the first ISDN channel.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 176 words
A method for interconnecting first and second ISDN channels of an ISDN line via a controller located at a subscriber premises, the ISDN line being served by a public central switching office, the method comprising the steps of in response to an incoming calling on the second ISDN channel from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second ISDN channel via the controller between the calling party and the controller, providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller, remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first ISDN channel, controlling the first ISDN channel via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and bridging the first and second channels to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first ISDN channel and, whenever required, to provide information to the first ISDN channel.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4893335A Cited
US4903289A Cited
US5029197A Cited
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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) 2001-02-16 2001-08-18 2002-02-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-02-16 2005-08-18 2006-02-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-02-16 2009-08-18 2010-02-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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