Internet priority call device
US6377668B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M11/022
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus to inform an online computer user of the presence of an incoming telephone call without disturbing an associated modem connection is disclosed. A device is connected to a telephone line, modem and telephone set, and utilizes a call waiting service provided by the telephone company. Upon detection of a call waiting signal the device generates a four second warbling tone to a piezoelectric sounder alerting the user to the presence of an inbound telephone call. The user may answer or ignore the telephone call. Caller identifiers included in incoming calls may be used to alert the user of the origin of the incoming call before the user decides to accept or ignore the call. When the device determines that the user has lifted the telephone set, it places the modem on hold, generates a signal displayed as a colored LED display, connects the telephone to the incoming tip/ring connection, thus establishing a connection to the caller. When the user terminates the call by replacing the telephone set, the device may generate another signal displayed on the LED display, and reconnect the modem to the Internet service provider.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.