Network-based intercom system and method for simulating a hardware based dedicated intercom system
US6937712B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2201/40
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network-based intercom system and method comprises software and the necessary portions of a computer network on which it is implemented. The software includes a dispatcher module to be installed on any of the computers of the network, and an intercom module to be installed on each of the participating computers in the system. The system has the advantage that it can be installed on non-dedicated computers, thus avoiding costly and inconvenient wiring and hardware installation. The system provides automatic message receipt without unnecessarily interrupting a recipient. This is achieved by signaling that a message has been sent by an assigned audible tone that is unique to the addressee. Thus, the recipient becomes aware that he or she has automatically received a message. The message is displayed in a banner on the addressee's computer monitor for selective viewing based on an order of priority. A recipient can respond directly to a message by interfacing with a visual display associated with the message.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.