US5802160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-ring telephone method and system
Assignee: COPLEY COLLECTION Inc
•
Filing: 1996-01-19
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Granted: 1998-09-01
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Expires: 2016-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and system of providing telephone service comprises associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number. A call to the representative telephone number is detected and a plurality of telephone numbers on the list are simultaneously signalled. Thereafter, signalling is terminated at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers thereby allowing a connection to be established with one or more parties at telephone numbers among the plurality of telephone numbers. Each telephone number on the list may be a representative number which is associated with another list of telephone numbers.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley Kugell
- 👤 David Silver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/002; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/46; H04M3/465; H04M3/54; H04M3/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at remaining ones of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at more than one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at remaining ones of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at more than one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of associating comprises storing the list of telephone numbers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of associating comprises storing the list of telephone numbers and thereafter adding at least one telephone number to the stored list.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of associating comprises storing the list of telephone numbers and thereafter deleting at least one stored telephone number from the list.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of deleting comprises deleting one stored telephone number at a predetermined time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of deleting comprises deleting one stored telephone number after a predetermined period of non-use.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of deleting comprises deleting one stored telephone number in response to a security failure at said one telephone number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of deleting comprises deleting one stored telephone number in response to a request by a called party at said one telephone number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the list of telephone numbers includes a telephone number which is a representative telephone number.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the representative telephone number is one of a geographic and non-geographic telephone number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the representative telephone number is one of a virtual telephone number and a telephone instrument specific telephone number.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number by storing the list of telephone numbers including at least one telephone number valid for a preselected time period; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number by storing the list of telephone numbers including at least one telephone number valid for a preselected time period; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number by storing the list of telephone numbers and a table of telephone numbers for which calls from at least one telephone number in said table to at least one telephone number on the list are blocked; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of non-blocked telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number by storing the list of telephone numbers and a table of telephone numbers for which calls from at least one telephone number in said table to at least one telephone number on the list are blocked; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of non-blocked telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number by storing the list of telephone numbers including at least one telephone number valid only after a preselected elapsed time period of signalling; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing telephone service comprising the steps of: associating a list of telephone numbers with a representative telephone number by storing the list of telephone numbers including at least one telephone number valid only after a preselected elapsed time period of signalling; detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the step of terminating comprises terminating the signalling at all of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the step of terminating comprises terminating the signalling at one of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication thereat and continuing signalling at remaining ones of the plurality of telephone numbers for which an off-hook indication has not been received.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the step of terminating comprises terminating the signalling at one of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to no off-hook indication thereat within a predetermined time period.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the step of terminating comprises terminating the signalling at all of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at one of the plurality of telephone numbers and receiving verification from an answering party.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of receiving verification comprises receiving a personal identification number code.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of receiving verification comprises receiving response tones.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of receiving verification comprises receiving predetermined verbal responses.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of receiving verification comprises voice recognition analysis of an answering party.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at remaining ones of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at more than one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at remaining ones of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at more than one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the processor thereafter adds at least one telephone number to the stored list.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the list of telephone numbers includes a telephone number which is a representative telephone number.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the representative telephone number is one of a geographic and non-geographic telephone number.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the representative telephone number is one of a virtual telephone number and a telephone instrument specific telephone number.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the memory. detection circuit, circuit for signalling and processor are disposed in at least one tandem switch.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the memory, detection circuit, circuit for signalling and processor are disposed in at least one end office switch.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the memory, detection circuit, circuit for signalling and processor are disposed in at least one tandem switch and at least one end office switch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the memory, detection circuit, circuit for signalling and processor are at least partly add-on circuitry to a telephone switch.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 23, wherein the processor thereafter deletes at least one stored telephone number from the list.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 32, wherein the processor deletes one stored telephone number at a predetermined time.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 32, wherein the processor deletes one stored telephone number after a predetermined period of non-use.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 32, wherein the processor deletes one stored telephone number in response to a security failure at said one telephone number.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 32, wherein the processor deletes one stored telephone number in response to a request by a called party at said one telephone number.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number including data for at least one telephone number indicating a preselected time period during which said at least one telephone number is valid; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number including data for at least one telephone number indicating a preselected time period during which said at least one telephone number is valid; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number including a table of telephone numbers for which calls from at least one telephone number in said table to at least one telephone number on the list are blocked; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of non-blocked telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number including a table of telephone numbers for which calls from at least one telephone number in said table to at least one telephone number on the list are blocked; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of non-blocked telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number including data for at least one telephone number indicating a preselected elapsed time period of signalling only after which the at least one telephone number is valid; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for providing telephone service comprising: a memory for storing a list of telephone numbers associated with a representative telephone number including data for at least one telephone number indicating a preselected elapsed time period of signalling only after which the at least one telephone number is valid; a detection circuit for detecting a call to the representative telephone number from a calling telephone number; a circuit for simultaneously signalling at a plurality of valid telephone numbers on the list; and a processor for thereafter terminating the signalling at at least one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the processor terminates the signalling at all of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at one of the plurality of telephone numbers.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the processor terminates the signalling at one of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication thereat and continues the signalling at remaining ones of the plurality of telephone numbers for which an off-hook indication has not been received.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the processor terminates the signalling at one of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to no off-hook indication thereat within a predetermined time period.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the processor terminates the signalling at all of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to an off-hook indication at one of the plurality of telephone numbers and receiving verification from an answering party.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 43, wherein the verification comprises a personal identification number code.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system according to claim 43, wherein the verification comprises received tones.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 43, wherein the verification comprises predetermined verbal responses.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 43, further comprising a voice recognition analyzer for verifying the voice of an answering party.
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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) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |