US5991387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monitoring and controlling channels to improve the interface of calls
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1997-03-21
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Granted: 1999-11-23
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Expires: 2017-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for monitoring channels and controlling calls. Multiple channels provided by at least one digital line are monitored. Based on this monitoring, the present invention determines when all of the multiple channels are occupied. At least one of an incoming call and an established call is given priority when all of the multiple channels are busy. The priority is based on predetermined inputs from a user. The call with priority is provided on one of the multiple channels. The present invention then determines when one or more of the multiple channels are available. When one of the multiple channels becomes available, the action based on the call priority is automatically disabled.
Inventors
- 👤 Shmuel Shaffer
- 👤 William J. Beyda
- 👤 Selena Dilley
- 👤 Henry W. Lambert
- 👤 Phillip Meredith
- 👤 Rudolph Bitzinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0435; H04Q11/0457; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/436; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13091; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13173; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/13208; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/1325; H04Q2213/13274; H04Q2213/13337; H04Q2213/13377
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls, comprising the following steps: monitoring multiple channels, the multiple channels provided by at least one digital line; determining when at least one of the multiple channels is available; accepting user choice of priority; and when an incoming call arrives and no channel is available: automatically forwarding the incoming call to a mail messaging system when the user choice is priority for established calls; and automatically make a channel available for receiving the incoming call when the user choice is priority for incoming calls.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls, comprising the following steps: monitoring multiple channels, the multiple channels provided by at least one digital line; determining when at least one of the multiple channels is available; accepting user choice of priority; and when an incoming call arrives and no channel is available: automatically forwarding the incoming call to a mail messaging system when the user choice is priority for established calls; and automatically make a channel available for receiving the incoming call when the user choice is priority for incoming calls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls of claim 1, further comprising the following steps: providing information to an output terminal when there is an incoming call; and a user makes the choice of priority based on the information provided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls of claim 1, wherein the automatic forwarding generates a DO NOT DISTURB signal to a voice device handler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls of claim 3, wherein the automatically making a channel available removes the DO NOT DISTURB signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls of claim 1, further comprising the step of updating a table with information when one of the multiple channels becomes occupied and when one of the multiple channels becomes available.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls of claim 5, wherein the table is used to determine when all of the multiple channels are occupied and when one of the multiple channels becomes available.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for monitoring channels and controlling video and voice calls of claim 1, wherein the digital line is an ISDN line.
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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) | 2002-11-22 | 2003-05-24 | 2003-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | 2007-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-05-24 | 2011-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |