Patent CA531732A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0080027A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US2971218A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5333133A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5333133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Call processing control system
Assignee: S Aqua Semiconductor LLC
•
Filing: 1992-04-28
•
Granted: 1994-07-26
•
Expires: 2012-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A control system for processing calls comprising a call handling device and a device controller that are each connected to a network via a call connection interface that permits establishing and releasing a network connection, participation with another call connection interface in the same network connection, and either control over a network connection when the interface is the sole interface participating in that connection or control over a network connection to drop the last leg added to a network connection, the device controller and call handling device sending messages to each other over a message transfer interface. Also disclosed are a system for shifting control of a network connection and a system for monitoring the state of a network connection from a network interface that is not actively engaged in the network connection.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Wayne Andrews
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Fried
- 👤 Jerry Gechter
- 👤 Norvel L. Patton, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/56; H04M3/487; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/5166; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 106
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A control system for processing a call over a network comprising: a call handling device connected to said network via first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, said call handling device being programmed to receive control messages over message transfer interfaces and being capable of actively engaging said call over said first call connection interface, and a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection when said second call connection interface is the sole interface participating in said network connection to said call over said network, said device controller being connected to said call handling device via said message transfer interfaces and being programmed to provide a control message to said call handling device regarding at least one of establishing and releasing said network connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A control system for processing a call over a network comprising: a call handling device connected to said network via first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, said call handling device being programmed to receive control messages over message transfer interfaces and being capable of actively engaging said call over said first call connection interface, and a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection when said second call connection interface is the sole interface participating in said network connection to said call over said network, said device controller being connected to said call handling device via said message transfer interfaces and being programmed to provide a control message to said call handling device regarding at least one of establishing and releasing said network connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said call handling device is programmed to send informational messages to said device controller via said message transfer interfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said first and second call connection interfaces provide said participation via a shared call appearance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said informational messages include a message that provides information as to call handling activity that is lacing from information provided by participation in said network connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said call handling device is a voice response unit, and said informational messages include a message that provides information received from a call.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second call connection interfaces provide said participation via a shared call appearance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said second call connection interface permits a first call connection control function that said first call connection interface does not have or does not perform efficiently.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said first call handling function is call transfer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said control message is a message to disengage said call, and wherein said device controller includes means to generate signals to transfer said call after said call handling device has disengaged said call.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said call handling device is programmed to send informational messages to said device controller via said message transfer interfaces, said call handling device is a voice response unit, and said informational messages include a message that provides information received from the caller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said first call connection interface is to an analog line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said second call connection interface is to an ISDN line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said first call connection interface is to a T1 line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said second call connection interface is to an ISDN line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said call handling device and said device controller are implemented on the same platform, and said message transfer interfaces are internal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said call handling device and said device controller are implemented on different platforms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising a direct communication link between said call handling device and said device controller, and wherein said message transfer interfaces are to said direct communication link.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said message transfer interfaces are to a network that is different from the network to which said call handling device and said device controller are connected via said first and second call connection interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said message transfer interfaces are to a network that is the same as the network to which said call handling device and said device controller are connected via said first and second call connection interfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said network is a data network.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for processing a call over a network comprising providing a call handling device that is attached to said network via a first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, providing a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection when said second call connection interface is the sole interface participating in said connection to said call over said network, receiving said call at said network connection in which both said call handling device and said device controller participate, actively engaging said call by said call handling device, and transmitting a control message regarding at least one of establishing and releasing said network connection from said device controller to said call handling device via message transfer interfaces.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for processing a call over a network comprising providing a call handling device that is attached to said network via a first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, providing a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection when said second call connection interface is the sole interface participating in said connection to said call over said network, receiving said call at said network connection in which both said call handling device and said device controller participate, actively engaging said call by said call handling device, and transmitting a control message regarding at least one of establishing and releasing said network connection from said device controller to said call handling device via message transfer interfaces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising disengaging said call by said call handling device after said transmitting.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising transferring said call to another call connection by said device controller after said disengaging.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said call handling device is a voice response unit, and said actively engaging includes obtaining information from a caller making said call and further comprising transmitting to said device controller an informational message that includes information received from said caller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said control message instructs said call handling device to disengage said call after said actively engaging by said device controller, and further comprising transmitting an informational message from said call handling device to said device controller indicating that said call handling device has disengaged said call after it has disengaged said call.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said network is a data network.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
247 words
A control system for processing a call over a network comprising: a call handling device connected to said network via a first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, said call handling device being programmed to do at least one of sending and receiving messages over message transfer interfaces and being capable of actively engaging said call over said first call connection interface, said call handling device and said call being connected to said network via respective legs, one of said legs being added to said network connection before the other leg, and a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, said device controller being connected to said call handling device via message transfer interfaces and being programmed to do at least one of sending or receiving messages over said message transfer interfaces, said device controller also being programmed to provide a drop message to said network to drop the last leg added to said network connection.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
247 words
A control system for processing a call over a network comprising: a call handling device connected to said network via a first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, said call handling device being programmed to do at least one of sending and receiving messages over message transfer interfaces and being capable of actively engaging said call over said first call connection interface, said call handling device and said call being connected to said network via respective legs, one of said legs being added to said network connection before the other leg, and a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, said device controller being connected to said call handling device via message transfer interfaces and being programmed to do at least one of sending or receiving messages over said message transfer interfaces, said device controller also being programmed to provide a drop message to said network to drop the last leg added to said network connection.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said device controller is programmed to place itself on hold while said call handling device actively engages said call.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said call handling device is a voice response unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said call handling device is programmed to send informational messages to said device controller via said message transfer interfaces.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said first and second call connection interfaces provide said participation via conferencing.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 37 wherein said device controller is programmed to determine the state of said network connection by examining the state of the network that results after sending a drop message to the network to drop the leg added to a conference.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said second call connection interface permits a first call handling function that said first call connection interface does not have or does not perform efficiently.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 39 wherein said first call handling function is call transfer, and wherein said device controller includes means to generate signals to transfer said call.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 40 wherein said first call connection interface is to an analog line.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 41 wherein said second call connection interface is to an ISDN line.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 40 wherein said first call connection interface is to a T1 line.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 43 wherein said second call connection interface is to an ISDN line.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said device and said controller are implemented on the same platform, and said message transfer interfaces are internal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said device and said controller are implemented on different platforms.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 46 further comprising a direct communication link between said call handling device and said device controller, and wherein said message transfer interfaces are to said direct communication link.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 46 wherein said message transfer interfaces are to a network that is different from the network to which said call handling device and said device controller are connected via said first and second call connection interfaces.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 46 wherein said message transfer interfaces are to a network that is the same as the network to which said call handling device and said device controller are connected via said first and second call connection interfaces.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said network is a data network.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for processing a call over a network comprising providing a call handling device that is attached to said network via a first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, providing a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, receiving said call at a network connection in which both said call handling device and said device controller participate, actively engaging said call by said call handling device over said first call connection interface, said call handling device and said call being connected to said network via respective legs, one of said legs being added to said network connection before the other leg, transmitting a message between said device controller and said call handling device via message transfer interfaces, and
Claim 58
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for processing a call over a network comprising providing a call handling device that is attached to said network via a first call connection interface, said first call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing a network connection to said call over said network and participation with a second call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, providing a device controller connected to said network via said second call connection interface, said second call connection interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection to said call over said network, participation with said first call connection interface in said network connection to said call over said network, and control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, receiving said call at a network connection in which both said call handling device and said device controller participate, actively engaging said call by said call handling device over said first call connection interface, said call handling device and said call being connected to said network via respective legs, one of said legs being added to said network connection before the other leg, transmitting a message between said device controller and said call handling device via message transfer interfaces, and
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 54 further comprising placing said device controller on hold during said actively engaging by said call handling device.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 55 wherein said call handling device is a voice response unit, and wherein said transmitting a message is transmitting an informational message from said call handling device to said device controller via said message transfer interfaces.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said first and second call connection interfaces provide said participation via conferencing.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 57 wherein said device controller is programmed to determine the state of said network connection by sending a drop message to the network to drop the last leg added to a conference.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said second call connection interface permits a first call handling function that said first call connection interface does not have or does not perform efficiently.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 59 wherein said first call handling function is call transfer, and further comprising generating signals by said device controller to transfer said call.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said network is a data network.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for shifting control of a network connection from one network interface to a network to another comprising a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with a second network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said first network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, said first terminal device being programmed to carry out at least one of transmit and receiving control messages relating to said network connection over message transfer interfaces, and a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with said first network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said second network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, said second terminal device being connected to said first terminal device via message transfer interfaces and being programmed to carry out at least one of transmitting and receiving control messages relating to said network connection over said message transfer interfaces.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for shifting control of a network connection from one network interface to a network to another comprising a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with a second network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said first network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, said first terminal device being programmed to carry out at least one of transmit and receiving control messages relating to said network connection over message transfer interfaces, and a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with said first network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said second network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, said second terminal device being connected to said first terminal device via message transfer interfaces and being programmed to carry out at least one of transmitting and receiving control messages relating to said network connection over said message transfer interfaces.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said first and second network interfaces provide said participation via a shared call appearance.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said first terminal device is programmed to establish said network connection, to transmit a control message to said second terminal device to instruct said second terminal device to participate in said network connection, and to thereafter release said network connection.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 67 wherein said first terminal device is programmed to send a message to said second terminal device stating that it has released the network connection after releasing said network connection.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said second terminal device is programmed to establish a connection to participate in the said network connection to which said first terminal device is already connected, and to thereafter transmit a control message to said first terminal device to instruct said first terminal device to release said network connection.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said network is a data network.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
217 words
A method for shifting control of a network connection from one network interface to a network to another comprising providing a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with a second network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said first network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, providing a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with said first network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said second network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, establishing a network connection to said network by said first terminal device via said first network interface, sending a control message relating to said network connection from one said first and second terminal device to the other of said first and second terminal devices over message transfer interfaces, establishing a connection to said network connection by said second terminal device via said second network interface to participate in said call connection with said first terminal device, and releasing said network connection by said first terminal device.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
217 words
A method for shifting control of a network connection from one network interface to a network to another comprising providing a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with a second network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said first network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, providing a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection, participation with said first network interface in said network connection, and control over said network connection when said second network interface is the sole network interface participating in said network connection, establishing a network connection to said network by said first terminal device via said first network interface, sending a control message relating to said network connection from one said first and second terminal device to the other of said first and second terminal devices over message transfer interfaces, establishing a connection to said network connection by said second terminal device via said second network interface to participate in said call connection with said first terminal device, and releasing said network connection by said first terminal device.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said first and second network interfaces participate in said network connection via a shared call appearance.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said sending is sending a control message from said first terminal device to said second terminal device to shift control from said first terminal device to said second terminal device.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said sending is sending a control message from said second terminal device to said first terminal device to shift control from said first terminal device to said second terminal device.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 74 further comprising sending a message from said first terminal device to said second terminal device stating that it has released the network connection after said releasing said network connection.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said network is a data network.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for monitoring the state of a network connection to a network from a network interface comprising a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with a second network interface in said network connection, and a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with said first network interface in said network connection, said first terminal device being connected to said network connection via a first leg, said network connection having a second leg over said network associated therewith, one of said legs being added before the other leg, said second interface permitting control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, said second terminal device being programmed to determine the state of said network connection by examining the state of the network that results after sending a drop message to the network to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for monitoring the state of a network connection to a network from a network interface comprising a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with a second network interface in said network connection, and a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with said first network interface in said network connection, said first terminal device being connected to said network connection via a first leg, said network connection having a second leg over said network associated therewith, one of said legs being added before the other leg, said second interface permitting control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, said second terminal device being programmed to determine the state of said network connection by examining the state of the network that results after sending a drop message to the network to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said first and second network interfaces provide said participation via conferencing.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 83 wherein said first and second terminal devices are connected to each other via message transfer interfaces and are programmed to send and receive messages over said message transfer interfaces.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said second terminal device is programmed to place itself on hold while said first terminal device actively engages said network connection.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said network is a data network.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for monitoring the state of a network connection to a network from a network interface comprising providing a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with a second network interface in said network connection, providing a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with said first network interface in said network connection, said first terminal device being connected to said network connection via a first leg, said network connection having a second leg over said network associated therewith, one of said legs being added before the other leg, said second interface permitting control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, participating in said network connection to said network by said first and second terminal devices, and determining the state of said network connection by said second terminal device by examining the state of the network that results after sending a drop message to the network to drop the leg added last to said network connection.
Claim 99
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for monitoring the state of a network connection to a network from a network interface comprising providing a first terminal device connected to said network via a first network interface, said first network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with a second network interface in said network connection, providing a second terminal device connected to said network via said second network interface, said second network interface permitting establishing and releasing said network connection and participation with said first network interface in said network connection, said first terminal device being connected to said network connection via a first leg, said network connection having a second leg over said network associated therewith, one of said legs being added before the other leg, said second interface permitting control over said network connection to drop the leg that was added last to said network connection, participating in said network connection to said network by said first and second terminal devices, and determining the state of said network connection by said second terminal device by examining the state of the network that results after sending a drop message to the network to drop the leg added last to said network connection.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 91 wherein said participating is via conferencing.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 91 further comprising sending messages between said first and second terminal devices via message transfer interfaces.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 91 further comprising placing said second terminal device on hold while said first terminal device actively engages said network connection.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 91 wherein said network is a public telephone network.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 91 wherein said network is a private network.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 91 wherein said network is a PBX network.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 91 wherein said network is a data network.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4573140A
Cited
US4663777A
Cited
US4763353A
Cited
US4979206A
Cited
US4893328A
Cited
US5003575A
Cited
US5020095A
Cited
US5023868A
Cited
US5062103A
Cited
US4980908A
Cited
US5036535A
Cited
US5168515A
Cited
US5134647A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-25 | 1998-01-24 | 1998-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-25 | 2002-01-24 | 2002-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-25 | 2006-01-24 | 2006-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |