Telephonic communications – Reception of calling information at substation in wireline... – Blocking caller id transmission
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-20
2001-04-24
Kuntz, Curtis A. (Department: 2743)
Telephonic communications
Reception of calling information at substation in wireline...
Blocking caller id transmission
C379S156000, C379S164000, C379S183000, C379S212010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222913
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying caller information during switching of an incoming call in a private branch exchange and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for displaying caller information on a display of an extension terminal during switching of an incoming call.
In general, a private branch exchange (hereinafter referred to as “PBX”) switches an incoming call from an office line or an extension line to a specified extension line in response to a call switching request.
In that regard, a PBX system generally includes a PBX, subscriber terminals (i.e., extension telephones), and a control terminal.
The PBX itself can have various configurations, but typically includes at least a controller, a switching circuit, a memory, and a tone generator. As explained in more detail below, such PBX systems have various disadvantages.
For example, the call switching method employed in such PBX systems is typically quite sophisticated, in that an incoming call is switched to a specified extension line in response to a call switching request from an originating central office line or an extension line. Moreover, in such a PBX system, a control terminal sends a ring signal only when switching an incoming call to designated extension line. This result in disadvantage in that, in a order to recognize the caller, the subscriber must answer the switched incoming call. In addition, since the subscriber can not recognize the call before he or she answers the incoming call from the central office line, the subscriber can not handle the incoming call promptly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,073, Smith discloses a call identification display system which includes a reception unit, at least one remote user unit, and a communication link. The reception unit disclosed in this patent has a data entry device for entering a message relative to an incoming caller and a display device, and each remote user unit includes a display device displaying the message from the reception unit identifying the incoming caller, as well as an instructions selector for selecting one of a number of predetermined instruction for display on the display device in the reception unit.
Nevertheless, the disclosure of the patent does not provide a solution to the problems identified herein.
Particularly, there is a need for the development of a call switching method and apparatus which not only allows the subscriber to recognize a caller without answering an incoming call, but also provides for the outputting of caller information through a subscriber terminal, as well as the capability whereby a subscriber can recognize in advance the name of a caller prior to answering an incoming call from a central office line, thereby permitting the subscriber to handle the incoming call promptly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a call switching method and apparatus which allows a subscriber to recognize a caller without answering an incoming call.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a call switching method and apparatus for outputting caller information through a subscriber terminal.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for switching a call, wherein a subscriber can recognize in advance the name of a caller prior to answering an incoming call from a central office line so that the subscriber can handle the incoming call promptly.
To achieve the above objects, there is provided a method and apparatus for displaying caller information during call switching in an exchange system. The exchange system includes: a plurality of extension terminals, each having a display; an operator for switching a call between a subscriber and a caller; and an exchange for switching the call among the extension terminals, the operator and the caller. The exchange transfers a call reception message to the operator upon receiving an incoming call from the caller, and the operator transfers a hook-off message to the exchange in response to the call reception message received. Then, responding to the hook-off message being received, the exchange forms a communication path between the caller and the operator, and the operator receives information about the caller and the subscriber with whom thc caller desires to talk through the communication path. The operator then transfers a message corresponding thereto to the exchange. Thereafter, the exchange sends a ring signal to the terminal of the subscriber in response to the message received, and simultaneously outputs the information about the caller to the display of the subscriber.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5023868 (1991-06-01), Davidson et al.
patent: 5228073 (1993-07-01), Smith
patent: 5267307 (1993-11-01), Izumi et al.
patent: 5396548 (1995-03-01), Bayerl et al.
patent: 5533102 (1996-07-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 5799074 (1998-08-01), Mano et al.
patent: 2301262 (1996-11-01), None
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Kuntz Curtis A.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Tieu Binh K.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for displaying caller information... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for displaying caller information..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for displaying caller information... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2488979