Method and apparatus for subscriber line to telephone call distribution
US6400815B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2213/1328
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A Network Interface Unit (38, 38′, 38″) routes incoming calls to, and outgoing calls from, a plurality of telephone sets (12-22) at a subscriber premises (24). The Network Interface Unit continuously monitors for incoming calls and the availability of telephone sets. Upon receipt of a call, the Network Interface Unit determines which telephone sets are idle and applies a distinctive ring to each idle telephone set o identify the telephone line or equivalent on which the call was received. Once a telephone set goes off hook, the Network Interface Unit routes the call to that set and releases the remaining telephone sets for subsequent calls. When a subscriber initiates an outgoing telephone call, the Network Interface Unit detects the call and routes it on an idle outgoing telephone line or equivalent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.