US4932050A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proximity detection for telecommunications features
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1989-06-30
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Granted: 1990-06-05
•
Expires: 2009-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A switching system in which telecommunications features are improved by the use of the proximity status of a telephone station set user. The status is transmitted to the switching system over the same telephone line used for the station set. The proximity status information simply defines the presence or absence of a person to answer calls to the station set without identifying a particular person.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne A. Davidson
- 👤 Daniel H. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/54; H04M3/546; H04M1/00; H04M1/82; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/5108; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04M2207/00; H04M2207/08; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/30; H04M3/42229; H04M3/523; H04M3/53; H04M3/533
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set, said method comprising said switching system receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and in response to incoming signaling requesting service, said switching system determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set, said method comprising said switching system receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and in response to incoming signaling requesting service, said switching system determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said incoming signaling defines a telephone call, said method further comprising said switching system selectively extending said telephone call to said station set based on said determined state of said proximity detector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said extending comprises extending said telephone call to said station set when said determined state is said first state and wherein said method further comprises forwarding said telephone call to another telephone station set when said determined state is said second state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising determining the availability status of said station set to receive calls, and wherein said extending comprises selectively extending said telephone call to said station set based on said determined state of said proximity detector means and said determined availability status of said station set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said incoming signaling defines a telephone call, said method further comprising said switching system selectively effecting alerting at said station set based on said determined state of said proximity detector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said effecting comprises effecting audible alerting at said station set when said determined state is said first state and wherein said method further comprises effecting audible alerting at another telephone station set when said determined state is said second state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said effecting comprises effecting audible alerting at said station set when said determined state is said first state and effecting silent alerting at said station set when said determined state is said second state and wherein said method further comprises effecting silent alerting at another telephone station set when said determined state is said first state and effecting audible alerting at said another station set when said determined state is said second state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said incoming signaling defines a person status request from another telephone station set, said method further comprising said switching system transmitting information defining said determined state of said proximity detector means to said another station set.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising after said transmitting, said switching system attempting to complete a telephone call between said another station set and said first-mentioned station set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said attempting is in response to a request from said another station set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said request comprises a continued off-hook state of said another station set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said incoming signaling defines a person status request from another telephone station set, said method further comprising said switching system determining whether said another station set is entitled to receive information concerning the state of said proximity detector means and upon determining that said another station set is entitled to receive information concerning the state of said proximity detector means, said switching system transmitting information defining said determined state of said proximity detector means to said another station set.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said incoming signaling defines an automatic callback request from another telephone station set, said method further comprising said switching system attempting to complete a telephone call between said first-mentioned station set and said another station set when said determined state is said first state and said switching system repeating said determining when said determined state is said second state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 further comprising performing an automatic callback service entitlement check prior to said attempting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said attempting comprises determining whether there is an active call at said first-mentioned station set, upon determining that there is no active call at said first-mentioned station set, effecting alerting at said first-mentioned station set and in response to receipt of answer signaling from said first-mentioned station set, attempting to complete said telephone call between said first-mentioned station set and said another station set.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising repeating said determining until the determined state of said proximity detector means is said first state and upon a determination that the state of said proximity detector means is said first state, transmitting information to another telephone station set defining that a person is present to receive calls to said first-mentioned station set.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising repeating said determining until the determined state of said proximity detector means is said first state, upon a determination that the state of said proximity detector means is said first state, determining whether there is an active call at said station set, repeating said last-mentioned determining until it is determined that there is no active call at said station set and upon a determination that there is no active call at said station set, transmitting information to another telephone station set defining that a person is present to receive calls to said first-mentioned station set and that there is no active call at said first-mentioned station set.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching system further comprises memory means, said method further comprising storing in said memory means state information defining the state of said proximity detector means and updating said stored state information based on said received information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein said determining comprises reading said updated state information from said memory means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said determining comprises said switching system transmitting a request over said access means, and wherein said information is received after said request is transmitted.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for distributing telephone calls to a plurality of telephone stations sets each having an associated proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set and a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set, said method comprising in response to a call, determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a first one of said station sets, extending said call to said first station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said first state, and determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a second one of said station sets when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said second state.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for distributing telephone calls to a plurality of telephone stations sets each having an associated proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set and a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set, said method comprising in response to a call, determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a first one of said station sets, extending said call to said first station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said first state, and determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a second one of said station sets when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said second state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 further comprising extending said call to said second station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said second station set is said first state.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 further comprising determining whether said first station set is available to receive calls, said extending being in response to determining that said first station set is available to receive calls.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone switching system, first access means interconnecting said first station set and said switching system, and second access means interconnecting said second station set and said switching system, said method further comprising said switching system receiving via said first access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set and said switching system receiving via said second access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means associated with said second station set.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for effecting alerting at a plurality of telephone station sets each having an associated proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set and a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set, said method comprising in response to a call, determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a first one of said station sets, effecting audible alerting at said first station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said first state and determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a second one of said station sets when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said second state.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for effecting alerting at a plurality of telephone station sets each having an associated proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set and a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set, said method comprising in response to a call, determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a first one of said station sets, effecting audible alerting at said first station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said first state and determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a second one of said station sets when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said second state.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 further comprising effecting audible alerting at said second station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said second station set is said first state.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method in accordance with claim 26 further comprising effecting silent alerting at said second station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set is said first state and effecting silent alerting at said first station set when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said second station set is said first state.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 further comprising transferring said call to a message center when said determined state of said proximity detector means associated with said second station set is said second state.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone switching system, first access means interconnecting said first station set and said switching system, and second access means interconnecting said second station set and said switching system, said method further comprising said switching system receiving via said first access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set and said switching system receiving via said second access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means associated with said second station set.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone switching system and a plurality of telephone station sets each having an associated proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set and a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set, said method comprising said switching system determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a first one of said station sets and the availability status of said first station set, said switching system determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a second one of said station sets and the availability status of said second station set and upon determining that the state of said proximity detector associated with said first station set is said first state, that the state of said proximity detector associated with said second station set is said first state, and that said first and second stations sets are both available for receiving calls, said switching system attempting to complete a telephone call between said first and second station sets.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone switching system and a plurality of telephone station sets each having an associated proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set and a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to the associated station set, said method comprising said switching system determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a first one of said station sets and the availability status of said first station set, said switching system determining the state of the proximity detector means associated with a second one of said station sets and the availability status of said second station set and upon determining that the state of said proximity detector associated with said first station set is said first state, that the state of said proximity detector associated with said second station set is said first state, and that said first and second stations sets are both available for receiving calls, said switching system attempting to complete a telephone call between said first and second station sets.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein said method is performed in response to an automatic callback request from one of said first and second station sets.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 further comprising repeating both of said determining steps at regular time intervals until completion of said telephone call is attempted.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein said arrangement further comprises first access means interconnecting said first station set and said switching system, and second access means interconnecting said second station set and said switching system, said method further comprising said switching system receiving via said first access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means associated with said first station set and said switching system receiving via said second access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means associated with said second station set.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person within a predefined area and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person within said predefined area, said method comprising said switching system receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and in response to incoming signaling requesting service, said switching system determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person within a predefined area and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person within said predefined area, said method comprising said switching system receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and in response to incoming signaling requesting service, said switching system determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 34 wherein said incoming signaling defines a person status request from another telephone station set, said method further comprising said switching system transmitting information defining said determined state of said proximity detector means to said another station set.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method in accordance with claim 34 further comprising repeating said determining until the determined state of said proximity detector means is said first state and upon a determination that the state of said proximity detector means is said first state, transmitting information to another telephone station set defining said first state of said proximity detector means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
113 words
An arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set, said switching system comprising means for receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and means responsive to incoming signaling requesting service for determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
113 words
An arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set, said switching system comprising means for receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and means responsive to incoming signaling requesting service for determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
An arrangement in accordance with claim 37 wherein said switching system further comprises memory means for storing state information defining the state of said proximity detector means and means for updating the state information stored in said memory means based on said received information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement in accordance with claim 38 wherein said determining means comprises means for reading said updated state information from said memory means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
An arrangement in accordance with claim 37 wherein said access means comprises an analog telephone line, said station set is an analog set, and said arrangement further comprises means for interfacing said analog telephone line, said analog station set, and said proximity detector means to transmit proximity information to said switching system.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
54 words
An arrangement in accordance with claim 37 wherein said access means comprises an ISDN digital subscriber line, said station set is an ISDN set, and said arrangement further comprises means for interfacing said ISDN digital subscriber line, said ISDN station set, and said proximity detector means to transmit proximity information to said switching system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
119 words
A telephone switching system for use with a telephone station set, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set, said switching system comprising means for receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and means cooperative with said receiving means and responsive to incoming signaling requesting service for determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
119 words
A telephone switching system for use with a telephone station set, access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, and proximity detector means associated with said station set, said proximity detector means having a first state corresponding to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and having a second state corresponding to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set, said switching system comprising means for receiving via said access means information defining the state of said proximity detector means and means cooperative with said receiving means and responsive to incoming signaling requesting service for determining the state of said proximity detector means based on said received information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for use with an arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, and access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, said apparatus comprising proximity detector means for detecting the presence and absence of a person within a predefined area, said proximity detector means having first and second states and being for location with respect to said station set such that said first state corresponds to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and said second state corresponds to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set and means responsive to said proximity detector means for transmitting state information of said proximity detector means via said access means to said switching system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for use with an arrangement comprising a telephone station set, a telephone switching system, and access means interconnecting said station set and said switching system, said apparatus comprising proximity detector means for detecting the presence and absence of a person within a predefined area, said proximity detector means having first and second states and being for location with respect to said station set such that said first state corresponds to the presence of a person to answer calls to said station set and said second state corresponds to the absence of a person to answer calls to said station set and means responsive to said proximity detector means for transmitting state information of said proximity detector means via said access means to said switching system.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein said transmitting means comprises means responsive to a state change of said proximity detector means for transmitting information relating to said state change via said access means to said switching system.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein said transmitting means comprises means responsive to a state change of said proximity detector means of at least a predefined duration for transmitting an off-hook signal via said access means to said switching system and means responsive to a dial tone signal on said access means for transmitting one of two signals via said access means to said switching system dependent on said state change of said proximity detector means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein said station set is a digital station set, said access means comprises a digital subscriber line having at least a B-channel and a D-channel and said transmitting means comprises means responsive to a state change of said proximity detector means of at least a predefined duration for transmitting one of two signals via said D-channel to said switching system dependent on said state change of said proximity detector means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 43 further comprising means for connection with said station set for inhibiting said transmitting means when said station set is off-hook.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |