US5912948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic screening apparatus and method for use with telephone answering devices
Assignee: Vertizon Corp
•
Filing: 1996-12-10
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Granted: 1999-06-15
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Expires: 2016-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for screening an incoming telephone call from a caller on an external telephone line connected to an answering device for recording the call includes inserting into the telephone line a circuit comprising a voltage sensitive device and a bridging device for allowing a handset of a telephone set connected to the telephone line and remote from the answering device to be picked up to listen to the call. The handset of the telephone set is picked up to enable a speaker component of the telephone set without interrupting operation of the answering device. The incoming call is listened to via the enabled speaker component while the answering device operates. A microphone component of the telephone set is optionally enabled to speak with the caller. The operation of the answering device may be interrupted by pressing a switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Avi Nelson
- 👤 Leon Ferber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/654; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M1/71; H04M1/715
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of screening an incoming telephone call from a caller on an external telephone line connected to an answering device for recording the call, comprising: inserting into the telephone line a circuit comprising a voltage sensitive device and a bridging device for allowing a handset of a telephone set connected to the telephone line and remote from the answering device to be picked up to listen to the call; picking up the handset of the telephone set to enable a speaker component of the telephone set without interrupting operation of the answering device; listening to the incoming call via the enabled speaker component while the answering device operates; and optionally pressing a switch enabling a microphone component of the telephone set to speak with the caller and interrupting the operation of the answering device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of screening an incoming telephone call from a caller on an external telephone line connected to an answering device for recording the call, comprising: inserting into the telephone line a circuit comprising a voltage sensitive device and a bridging device for allowing a handset of a telephone set connected to the telephone line and remote from the answering device to be picked up to listen to the call; picking up the handset of the telephone set to enable a speaker component of the telephone set without interrupting operation of the answering device; listening to the incoming call via the enabled speaker component while the answering device operates; and optionally pressing a switch enabling a microphone component of the telephone set to speak with the caller and interrupting the operation of the answering device.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for screening an incoming telephone call on an external telephone line, the incoming telephone call being answered by an answering device which records the call, comprising: a voltage sensitive device configured in series with a telephone set remote from the answering device, the voltage sensitive device having a threshold voltage such that current flows through the voltage sensitive device when the threshold voltage across the voltage sensitive device is exceeded; a bridging device connected to the telephone set to allow a handset of the telephone set to be picked up to listen to the call; and a switch for optionally interrupting operation of the answering device to connect the telephone set to the incoming telephone call by creating a voltage across the voltage sensitive device which exceeds the threshold voltage.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for screening an incoming telephone call on an external telephone line, the incoming telephone call being answered by an answering device which records the call, comprising: a voltage sensitive device configured in series with a telephone set remote from the answering device, the voltage sensitive device having a threshold voltage such that current flows through the voltage sensitive device when the threshold voltage across the voltage sensitive device is exceeded; a bridging device connected to the telephone set to allow a handset of the telephone set to be picked up to listen to the call; and a switch for optionally interrupting operation of the answering device to connect the telephone set to the incoming telephone call by creating a voltage across the voltage sensitive device which exceeds the threshold voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the voltage sensitive device, the bridging device and the switch are all configured in parallel with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch is capable of connecting the telephone set to the call by enabling a microphone in the telephone set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the voltage across the voltage sensitive device which exceeds the threshold voltage is created by picking up the handset of the telephone set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the threshold voltage is less than the voltage created by picking up the handset of the telephone set but greater than the net voltage created when the answering device is operating and the handset of the telephone set is picked up.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the voltage sensitive device is a diac.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the bridging device is a capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch is a spring-loaded on-off switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the bridging device is capable of enabling a speaker in the telephone set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus is connected to the telephone line between the telephone set and a wall jack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus is connected to the telephone line within a chassis of the telephone set.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus is connected to the telephone line within the handset of the telephone set.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch is actuated by a push button key on the telephone set.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a microphone and a speaker in the telephone set; wherein the bridging device is capable of enabling the speaker and the switch is capable of enabling the microphone.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for screening an incoming telephone call on an external telephone line, the incoming telephone call being answered by an answering device which records the call, comprising: a diac configured in series with a telephone set remote from the answering device, the diac having a threshold voltage such that current flows through the diac when the threshold voltage across the diac is exceeded, the threshold voltage being less than the voltage created by picking up a handset of the telephone set but greater than the net voltage created when the answering device is operating and the handset of the telephone set is picked up; a capacitor connected to the telephone set to allow the handset of the telephone set to be picked up to listen to the call by enabling a speaker in the telephone set; and a spring-loaded switch for optionally interrupting operation of the answering device to connect the telephone set to the incoming telephone call by creating a voltage across the diac which exceeds the threshold voltage.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for screening an incoming telephone call on an external telephone line, the incoming telephone call being answered by an answering device which records the call, comprising: a diac configured in series with a telephone set remote from the answering device, the diac having a threshold voltage such that current flows through the diac when the threshold voltage across the diac is exceeded, the threshold voltage being less than the voltage created by picking up a handset of the telephone set but greater than the net voltage created when the answering device is operating and the handset of the telephone set is picked up; a capacitor connected to the telephone set to allow the handset of the telephone set to be picked up to listen to the call by enabling a speaker in the telephone set; and a spring-loaded switch for optionally interrupting operation of the answering device to connect the telephone set to the incoming telephone call by creating a voltage across the diac which exceeds the threshold voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the switch is capable of enabling a microphone in the telephone set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the apparatus is connected to the telephone line between the telephone set and a wall jack.
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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) | 2002-06-14 | 2002-12-14 | 2003-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-14 | 2006-12-14 | 2007-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-14 | 2010-12-14 | 2011-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |