Telephonic communications – Multi-line or key substation system with selective switching...
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-21
2001-02-27
Kuntz, Curtis A. (Department: 2743)
Telephonic communications
Multi-line or key substation system with selective switching...
C379S164000, C379S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195423
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a device connected to a multi-line incoming telephone line to automatically detect which line is ringing and automatically route incoming calls to a plurality of outlet ports and connected voice and data devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the years, the telephone system in this country has been primarily used for voice communications. Within recent years, however, the same telephone system has also been used for the transmission of data with ever increasing success. These data transmissions have been substantially in the form of facsimile transmissions through the use of modern day facsimile machine technology. At the same time, data has also been transmitted by means of more versatile personal computers through the use of modems having increased transmission speeds. The modem has allowed businesses as well as the private sector to be connected together for the transfer and exchange of data and information either from fixed locations or portable work stations.
While each of these devices provide means for the transmission of data, they usually require individual or dedicated telephone lines in order to perform these services. More recently, automatic voice/data switches which can sequentially carry voice and data transmissions have been devised which allow a single telephone line to be connected to a multitude of telecommunications devices. These switches enable a single telephone line to carry at various times voice conversations, facsimile transmissions, and data transmissions via modems.
With the automatic voice/data switches which are presently available, a telephone answering device (TAD) can be connected to the switch so it will directly answer the telephone line if the incoming telephone call is not promptly answered. At the same time, individual or multiple frequency tone signals such as discrete codes, and calling (CNG) tones transmitted on the incoming telephone line can be automatically switched by these devices so as to connect the incoming call with the desired telecommunications device. Thus, a CNG signal transmitted on the calling line by a calling fax machine can be automatically connected by a switch to a fax machine. By the same token, a DTMF or discrete coded signal can be manually applied to the telephone line to command the switching device to make the desired connection.
Faced with increased usage of single telephone lines, and the resulting tying up of the telephone line, many locations have opted for multi-line telephone lines. The multi-line telephones may utilize distinctive rings to identify which line is being called. The currently available automatic voice/data switches do not provide for data routing on multi-line telephone lines. As a result, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a voice/data switch so that data incoming upon multiple telephone lines can be routed to desired devices or locations.
INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
This information is provided in response to the applicant's acknowledged duty to inform the Patent and Trademark Office of all materials pertinent to the examination of this application of which the applicant is aware. This presentation is not to be construed as an acknowledgment that the applicant has performed a search of the prior art in the area of this invention.
The McClure patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,642) is the applicant's prior patent and is directed to a telephone signaling and paging device which strictly senses the presence of an incoming voice message on an attached telephone answering device. A signal is sensed coming from the answering machine which indicates that a message is present and the system in turn goes to an off-hook condition and dials a prerecorded telephone number for paging or informing the user that a voice message has been received. This system does not in any way show or teach the sensing of the reception of various types of calls on a single or multi-line telephone line, including data to any one of a number of devices attached to a voice/data switch or telephone terminal device.
The Lorenz, et al patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,972) discloses a device for automatically connecting a terminal to a telephone line. The device includes means for monitoring a telephone line upon detection of a ring signal. The system monitors the telephone line for either a DTMF or CNG signal. Upon detection of either signal, an incoming call is routed to one of a series of connected devices, such as a facsimile machine or a computer modem. This patent does not disclose a device for automatically connecting a terminal to a multi-line telephone line using distinctive rings to identify the telephone line upon which an incoming call is received.
The Telibasa patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,489) discloses an electronic device for controlling the flow of data between a single incoming telephone line and a fax modem or voice calls to a telephone. This device includes a means for disconnecting the normally connected fax machine from the telephone line and includes means for detection of a predetermined signal or code within a certain time period, indicating that the incoming call is a fax call. The fax machine is reconnected and initiated. If the required code or signal is not received, it is assumed that the incoming call is a voice call and the call is directed to a telephone or a telephone answering device. This device does not automatically route incoming calls on a multi-line telephone line to a desired device or location.
The Horton, et al patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,312) discloses a voice/data switch and is used for selectively connecting an audio terminal device, such as a telephone or an electronic data device such as a facsimile machine. The switch includes an announcement device providing an outgoing message upon receipt of a ring signal. The message requests that a certain return signal be provided to directly connect the switch to the voice or audio communication terminal device or to the facsimile device. Selective switching is provided in response to the returned signal. As such this patent does not disclose a switch for routing incoming signals on a multi-line telephone line.
The Freeny patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,797) discloses a device which automatically switches an incoming call to a plurality of telecommunication devices based upon the presence of voice or non-voice data. This invention automatically answers the incoming telephone call and upon detecting voice data the invention rings a telephone extension to signal to an operator the presence of the incoming call. If upon answering the incoming call, non-voice data is present this invention will route the incoming call to a plurality of telecommunication devices including computer interfaces, message receivers, etc. Thus, this patent performs the functions of switching an incoming call to a telecommunications device. Unlike the invention to which this application pertains, the Freeny patent neither provides for nor envisions the switching of multiple incoming telephone lines to a plurality of telecommunications device.
The Hashimoto patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,218) discloses another method of switching an incoming telephone call to either a telephone extension or a telecommunications device based upon the absence or presence of a control signal. This patent provides for the connection and switching of a single telephone line to a single telecommunications device. As such this patent neither discloses nor envisions the switching of multiple incoming telephone lines to a plurality of telecommunication devices to which the present herein disclosed invention pertains.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A multi-line telephone line data routing switch is disclosed which automatically routes an incoming signal on a multitude of telephone lines to a plurality of telecommunications devices or locations. It is well known in the art to provide automatic switching devices for connection to a single telephone line to automatically switch or branch the telephone line to a plurality of tel
Copeland Charles E.
Smock Gary S.
Command Communications, Inc.
Kuntz Curtis A.
Pittenger & Smith, PC
Tieu Binh K.
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