US6067443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communicator for a telephone system
Assignee: Aspect Communications Corp
•
Filing: 1995-05-08
•
Granted: 2000-05-23
•
Expires: 2015-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A communication system for coupling incoming calls from a calling party to a called party. The system includes at least one paging device and a plurality of other communications devices associated with prospective called parties, each of the other communications devices possessing communications capabilities different from the paging device. A programmed computer is responsive to signalling information in an incoming call for determining which paging device is associated with the called party and for determining which of the other communications devices is associated with the called party. An alerting signal is coupled to that paging device to alert the called party of the incoming call and a signal transmitted by the called party is detected in order to control further processing of the incoming call.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Fuller
- 👤 Frederick A. Epler
- 👤 Maxwell E. Manowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/16; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/006; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/652; H04M1/658; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M1/665; H04M11/00; H04M11/02; H04M11/022; H04M3/00; H04M3/38; H04M3/382; H04M3/42; H04M3/42229; H04M3/428; H04M3/436; H04M3/50; H04M3/527; H04M3/54; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0435; H04Q11/0457; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04Q3/005; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/54; H04Q3/542; H04Q3/545; H04Q3/54508; H04Q3/54525; H04Q3/54541; H04Q3/54566; H04Q3/54575; H04Q3/54591; H04Q3/58; H04Q3/62; H04Q3/622; H04Q3/625; H04Q3/627; H04W76/00; H04W76/10; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2005; H04M2203/2011; H04M2203/2072; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/22; H04M2242/30; H04M3/005; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42042; H04M3/42059; H04M3/42085; H04M3/42093; H04M3/42102; H04M3/487; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M3/537; H04M3/56; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13072; H04Q2213/13091; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13095; H04Q2213/13097; H04Q2213/13098; H04Q2213/13102; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13106; H04Q2213/13141; H04Q2213/1315; H04Q2213/13173; H04Q2213/13174; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/1318; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/13213; H04Q2213/13216; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/13222; H04Q2213/13224; H04Q2213/1324; H04Q2213/1325; H04Q2213/13256; H04Q2213/1326; H04Q2213/13271; H04Q2213/13274; H04Q2213/13282; H04Q2213/13286; H04Q2213/13299; H04Q2213/13305; H04Q2213/1332; H04Q2213/13322; H04Q2213/13331; H04Q2213/13374; H04Q2213/13376; H04Q2213/13377; H04Q2213/13385; H04Q2213/13405; H04Q2213/13513; H04Q2213/13515; H04Q2213/13532; H04Q2213/13533; H04Q2213/13547; H04Q3/72; H04W4/12; H04W68/00; H04W68/12; H04W8/00; H04W8/02; H04W8/08; H04W8/16; H04W8/18; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/022; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/022; H04W88/18; H04W88/185; H04W92/00; H04W92/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said apparatus comprising a communications processor, said communications processor: responsive to said incoming call for determining a bidirectional communications device associated with said called party and for causing an alerting signal to be produced at said bidirectional communications device to alert said called party of said incoming call, responsive to a first signal transmitted by said bidirectional communications device for suspending further processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode, and responsive to a predetermined signal received from said bidirectional communications device, prior to said called party establishing a two-way telephone connection to said incoming call, for reinitiating processing of said incoming call in a different second call processing mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said apparatus comprising a communications processor, said communications processor: responsive to said incoming call for determining a bidirectional communications device associated with said called party and for causing an alerting signal to be produced at said bidirectional communications device to alert said called party of said incoming call, responsive to a first signal transmitted by said bidirectional communications device for suspending further processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode, and responsive to a predetermined signal received from said bidirectional communications device, prior to said called party establishing a two-way telephone connection to said incoming call, for reinitiating processing of said incoming call in a different second call processing mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second call processing mode is a selected one of a plurality of call processing modes selectable during processing of said incoming call by transmitting from said bidirectional communications device a selected one of a corresponding plurality of mode command information signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second call processing mode includes coupling said incoming call to another communications device separate and distinct from said bidirectional communications device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first signal is the same as said predetermined signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least one of said plurality of call processing modes includes suspending processing of said incoming call to await entry by said calling party of a password signal associated with said called party.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said called party receives said incoming call via said another communications device, and said another communications device is a wired telephone station set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said called party is connected to said incoming call via said another communications device, which is a wireless telephone station set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal transmitted by said bidirectional communicator device is a radio signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communication processor, in responding to said mode command information, also couples a predetermined voice announcement to said calling party announcing said called party's intent to receive said incoming call.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
A bidirectional communicator device for use in a communications system, said bidirectional communicator device comprising: a receiver for receiving a first signal from said communications system in response to an incoming call for a called party associated with said bidirectional communicator device; and a transmitter for transmitting a second signal to said communications system, while said incoming call is being processed and without having established a bidirectional telephonic connection between said calling party and said called party, said second signal indicating a command from said called party to have said incoming call suspended from a first call processing mode, and to have said incoming call processed in a different second call processing mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
A bidirectional communicator device for use in a communications system, said bidirectional communicator device comprising: a receiver for receiving a first signal from said communications system in response to an incoming call for a called party associated with said bidirectional communicator device; and a transmitter for transmitting a second signal to said communications system, while said incoming call is being processed and without having established a bidirectional telephonic connection between said calling party and said called party, said second signal indicating a command from said called party to have said incoming call suspended from a first call processing mode, and to have said incoming call processed in a different second call processing mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bidirectional communicator device of claim 10 wherein said first and second signals are radio signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
159 words
A communication system for processing incoming calls from a calling party to a called party, said system comprising: at least one wireless bidirectional communications device; an incoming call processor responsive to signalling information in an incoming call for determining that said wireless bidirectional communications device is associated with said called party; a transmitting system for coupling an alerting signal to said wireless bidirectional communications device associated with said called party to alert said called party of said incoming call; a receiving system, responsive to a mode command signal transmitted by said wireless bidirectional communications device, while said incoming call is being processed, for directing said incoming call processor to terminate further processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode, said receiving system also being responsive to a predetermined signal received from said wireless bidirectional communications device for reinitiating processing of said incoming call in a second call processing mode different from said first call processing mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
159 words
A communication system for processing incoming calls from a calling party to a called party, said system comprising: at least one wireless bidirectional communications device; an incoming call processor responsive to signalling information in an incoming call for determining that said wireless bidirectional communications device is associated with said called party; a transmitting system for coupling an alerting signal to said wireless bidirectional communications device associated with said called party to alert said called party of said incoming call; a receiving system, responsive to a mode command signal transmitted by said wireless bidirectional communications device, while said incoming call is being processed, for directing said incoming call processor to terminate further processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode, said receiving system also being responsive to a predetermined signal received from said wireless bidirectional communications device for reinitiating processing of said incoming call in a second call processing mode different from said first call processing mode.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said method comprising the steps of: determining, in response to said incoming call, a wireless bidirectional communicator device associated with said called party; coupling an alerting signal to the determined wireless communicator device to alert said called party of said incoming call; temporarily suspending any further processing of said incoming call in a first processing mode in response to a mode command signal transmitted by said wireless communicator device without said called party having established a bidirectional telephone connection to said incoming call; and reinitiating processing of said incoming call in a different processing mode commanded by said mode command signal.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said method comprising the steps of: determining, in response to said incoming call, a wireless bidirectional communicator device associated with said called party; coupling an alerting signal to the determined wireless communicator device to alert said called party of said incoming call; temporarily suspending any further processing of said incoming call in a first processing mode in response to a mode command signal transmitted by said wireless communicator device without said called party having established a bidirectional telephone connection to said incoming call; and reinitiating processing of said incoming call in a different processing mode commanded by said mode command signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said apparatus comprising: means responsive to said incoming call for determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party; means responsive to the determined paging and other communications device for coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; means responsive to a first signal transmitted from said pager for controlling further processing of said incoming call, including selectively coupling said incoming call to said other communications device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said apparatus comprising: means responsive to said incoming call for determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party; means responsive to the determined paging and other communications device for coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; means responsive to a first signal transmitted from said pager for controlling further processing of said incoming call, including selectively coupling said incoming call to said other communications device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said other communications device has two-way communications capability.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said other communications device is a wired telephone station set.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said other communications device is a wireless telephone station set.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first signal is transmitted by the called party via said paging device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said communications device is a wired telephone station set.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said communications device is a wireless telephone station set.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first signal transmitted by said paging device is a radio signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said apparatus comprising: means responsive to said incoming call for determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party; means responsive to the determined paging and other communications device for coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; means responsive to a first signal transmitted by said called party for controlling further processing of said incoming call, including selectively coupling said incoming call to said other communications device and coupling a predetermined voice announcement to said calling party announcing said called party's intent to receive said incoming call.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is directed to a called party, said apparatus comprising: means responsive to said incoming call for determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party; means responsive to the determined paging and other communications device for coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; means responsive to a first signal transmitted by said called party for controlling further processing of said incoming call, including selectively coupling said incoming call to said other communications device and coupling a predetermined voice announcement to said calling party announcing said called party's intent to receive said incoming call.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
A pager for use in a communications system, said pager comprising: means for receiving a signal from said communications system in response to an incoming call for a called party associated with said pager; and means for transmitting a signal to said communications system indicating an intent of the called party to personally answer the call.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
A pager for use in a communications system, said pager comprising: means for receiving a signal from said communications system in response to an incoming call for a called party associated with said pager; and means for transmitting a signal to said communications system indicating an intent of the called party to personally answer the call.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The pager of claim 23 wherein said transmitting means also includes means for transmitting another signal to said communications system indicating an intent of said called party not to personally answer said incoming call but to have said incoming call processed in a different mode of operation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The pager of claim 24 wherein said signals are transmitted radio frequency signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
122 words
A communication system for coupling incoming calls from a calling party to a called party, said system comprising at least one paging device; a plurality of other communications devices associated with prospective called parties, each of said other communications devices possessing communications capabilities different from said paging device; means responsive to signalling information in an incoming call for determining if any said paging device is associated with said called party and for determining which of said other communications devices is associated with said called party; means for coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; means responsive to a signal transmitted by said paging device for controlling further processing of said incoming call.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
122 words
A communication system for coupling incoming calls from a calling party to a called party, said system comprising at least one paging device; a plurality of other communications devices associated with prospective called parties, each of said other communications devices possessing communications capabilities different from said paging device; means responsive to signalling information in an incoming call for determining if any said paging device is associated with said called party and for determining which of said other communications devices is associated with said called party; means for coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; means responsive to a signal transmitted by said paging device for controlling further processing of said incoming call.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
58 words
The communication system of claim 26 further wherein said means responsive to a signal couples said incoming call to said another communications device, said communications device being any in a set of said other communications devices including said other communications device, whereby said incoming call is received by said called party at one of said other communications devices.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is connected to a called party, said method comprising the steps of: determining, in response to said incoming call, a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities associated with said called party and possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device; coupling an alerting signal to the determined paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; temporarily suspending any further processing of said incoming call; and reinitiating processing of said incoming call in response to a signal transmitted from said paging device by said called party and coupling said incoming call to another communications device, said another communications device being any in a set of communications devices including said other communications device whereby said incoming call is received by said called party at one of said other communications devices.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for use in a communications system wherein an incoming call from a calling party is connected to a called party, said method comprising the steps of: determining, in response to said incoming call, a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities associated with said called party and possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device; coupling an alerting signal to the determined paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; temporarily suspending any further processing of said incoming call; and reinitiating processing of said incoming call in response to a signal transmitted from said paging device by said called party and coupling said incoming call to another communications device, said another communications device being any in a set of communications devices including said other communications device whereby said incoming call is received by said called party at one of said other communications devices.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 28 wherein processing of said incoming call is also reinitiated in the event no signal is received from the called party within a programmed period of time, in which case the processing thereafter continues in a default mode.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said signal is a radio frequency signal transmitted by said paging device.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of directing an incoming call from a calling part to a called party, said method comprising: determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party in response to said incoming call; coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; detecting a signal transmitted from said paging device by said called party in response to said alerting signal; and in response to the detection of said signal, controlling further processing of said incoming call.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of directing an incoming call from a calling part to a called party, said method comprising: determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party in response to said incoming call; coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; detecting a signal transmitted from said paging device by said called party in response to said alerting signal; and in response to the detection of said signal, controlling further processing of said incoming call.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said controlling step includes selectively coupling said incoming call to said other communications device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said controlling step includes selectively coupling said incoming call to another communications device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said controlling step includes selectively coupling said incoming call to voice mail.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the signal transmitted by the called party from said paging device is a radio frequency signal.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of directing an incoming call from a calling part to a called party, said method comprising: determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party in response to said incoming call; coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; detecting a signal transmitted by said called party in response to said alerting signal; and in response to the detection of said signal, controlling further processing of said incoming call by coupling said incoming call to a selected communications device and automatically selecting a communications device to be the selected communications device in response to physical movement of the called party between rooms in a building.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of directing an incoming call from a calling part to a called party, said method comprising: determining a paging device associated with said called party and at least one other communications device possessing communications capabilities different from that of said paging device and associated with said called party in response to said incoming call; coupling an alerting signal to said paging device to alert said called party of said incoming call; detecting a signal transmitted by said called party in response to said alerting signal; and in response to the detection of said signal, controlling further processing of said incoming call by coupling said incoming call to a selected communications device and automatically selecting a communications device to be the selected communications device in response to physical movement of the called party between rooms in a building.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said controlling step includes coupling said incoming call to a selected communications device and further including the step of selecting a communications device to be the selected communications device in response to a selection signal received from the called party.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bidirectional communications device is a wireless device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second call processing mode differs from said first call processing mode irrespective of differences in a telephone network address to which said incoming call will be connected.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of call processing modes differs from each other of said plurality of call processing modes irrespective of differences in a telephone network address to which said incoming call will be connected.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said bidirectional communications device lacks voice communication capacity.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bidirectional communicator device of claim 10, wherein said second call processing mode differs from said first call processing mode irrespective of a telephone network address to which said incoming call will be connected.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second call processing mode is a selected one of a plurality of call processing modes selectable during processing of said incoming call by transmitting from said bidirectional communications device a selected one of a corresponding plurality of mode command information signals.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second call processing mode differs from said first call processing mode irrespective of differences in a telephone network address to which said incoming call will be connected.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 43 wherein each of said plurality of call processing modes differs from each other of said plurality of call processing modes irrespective of differences in a telephone network address to which said incoming call will be connected.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of processing an incoming telephone call initiated by a calling party and directed to a telephone network address associated with a called party, said method comprising the steps of: initiating processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode; sending an alerting signal to a bidirectional communications device associated with said called party to inform said called party of said incoming call; receiving a predetermined mode change command signal from said bidirectional communications device after sending said alerting signal, without a need for said called party to establish a direct telephone connection to said incoming telephone call; responding to said predetermined mode change command signal by changing the processing mode of said incoming telephone call to a second processing mode different from said first mode.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of processing an incoming telephone call initiated by a calling party and directed to a telephone network address associated with a called party, said method comprising the steps of: initiating processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode; sending an alerting signal to a bidirectional communications device associated with said called party to inform said called party of said incoming call; receiving a predetermined mode change command signal from said bidirectional communications device after sending said alerting signal, without a need for said called party to establish a direct telephone connection to said incoming telephone call; responding to said predetermined mode change command signal by changing the processing mode of said incoming telephone call to a second processing mode different from said first mode.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of processing an incoming call of claim 46 wherein said bidirectional communications device is a wireless device.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 46 wherein the step of changing the processing mode is completed before said calling party is granted an opportunity to provide a voice message for said called party.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of processing an incoming call of claim 46 wherein said predetermined mode change command is one of a plurality of predetermined mode change commands, and wherein said second processing mode is one of a plurality of processing modes able to be initiated by receiving particular ones of said predetermined mode change commands.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of processing an incoming call of claim 46 in which the step of initiating processing of said incoming call in a first processing mode includes steps of: extracting information from said incoming call identifying said called party; and determining if a bidirectional device capable of sending a mode change command signal is associated with said called party.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of processing an incoming telephone call initiated by a calling party and directed to a telephone network address associated with a called party, said method comprising the steps of: initiating processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode; sending an alerting signal to a bidirectional communications device associated with said called party to inform said called party of said incoming call; receiving, while said incoming call is being processed and while a two-way telephonic connection between said calling party and said called party has at least not yet been established, a predetermined mode change command signal from said bidirectional communications device; responding to said predetermined mode change command signal by changing the processing mode of said incoming telephone call to a second processing mode different from said first mode and corresponding to said predetermined mode change command.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of processing an incoming telephone call initiated by a calling party and directed to a telephone network address associated with a called party, said method comprising the steps of: initiating processing of said incoming call in a first call processing mode; sending an alerting signal to a bidirectional communications device associated with said called party to inform said called party of said incoming call; receiving, while said incoming call is being processed and while a two-way telephonic connection between said calling party and said called party has at least not yet been established, a predetermined mode change command signal from said bidirectional communications device; responding to said predetermined mode change command signal by changing the processing mode of said incoming telephone call to a second processing mode different from said first mode and corresponding to said predetermined mode change command.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said bidirectional communications device is a wireless device.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said second processing mode is one of a plurality of different processing modes selectable by receiving a corresponding predetermined mode change command, and wherein said predetermined mode change command is one of a plurality of predetermined mode change commands transmittable by said bidirectional communications device.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the step of changing to a second processing mode is commanded by said called party without a need for said called party to initiate a telephone connection by going off hook.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said incoming call is processed and terminates without said called party having established a two-way telephone connection with said calling party.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
32 words
The communication system of claim 12 wherein said receiving system is responsive to said mode command signal transmitted without said called party having established a two-way telephonic connection with said calling party.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said predetermined mode change command signal is received before any telephonic voice connection is established to said incoming call.
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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) | 2003-05-23 | 2003-11-22 | 2004-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-23 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-23 | 2011-11-22 | 2012-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |