Caller ID system with prescaler

Claim 2

A caller ID system, comprising: a caller ID receiver coupled to an input for receiving an input signal including a caller ID signal; a processor coupled to the caller ID receiver for detecting an error in said caller ID signal; and a prescaler, coupled between said input and the caller ID receiver, for scaling said input signal in response to said processor detecting said error in said caller ID signal.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein the prescaler is capable of scaling the caller ID signal by either amplifying or attenuating the caller ID signal.

Claim 4

The caller ID system of claim 1 wherein said error comprises no caller ID information being detected in said input signal.

Claim 5

The caller ID system of claim 1 wherein said error comprises incorrect data being included in said caller ID signal.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1, wherein the prescaler comprises: an operational amplifier; and a plurality of switched resistors coupled between an output terminal and an input terminal of the operational amplifier.

Claim 7

The system of claim 5 wherein each of the switched resistors comprises a series connection of a resistor and a switch.

Claim 8

The system of claim 6 wherein each switch is a controlled switch which opens and closes in response to a signal from the processor.

Claim 9

The system of claim 5 wherein the prescaler further comprises a plurality of switched resistors coupled to the input terminal of the operational amplifier.

Claim 10

The system of claim 8 wherein each of the switched resistors comprises a series connection of a resistor and a switch.

Claim 11

The system of claim 9 wherein each switch is a controlled switch which opens and closes in response to a signal from the processor.

Claim 12

In a system for receiving caller ID information associated with respective sequential telephone calls, including a prescaler for scaling a caller ID signal by a scale factor, a method for controlling the scale factor, comprising the steps of: adjusting the scale factor until caller ID information has been correctly received for a first predetermined number of consecutive telephone calls; maintaining the scale factor until caller ID information has been incorrectly received for a second predetermined number of consecutive telephone calls; and repeating the adjusting step.

Claim 13

In a system for receiving caller ID information associated with respective sequential telephone calls, including a prescaler for scaling a caller ID signal by a scale factor, a method for controlling the scale factor, comprising the steps of: adjusting the scale factor until caller ID information has been correctly received for a first predetermined number of consecutive telephone calls; maintaining the scale factor until caller ID information has been incorrectly received for a second predetermined number of consecutive telephone calls; and repeating the adjusting step.

Claim 14

The method of claim 11 wherein the step of adjusting the scale factor is preceded by the steps of: receiving caller ID information; and determining if received caller ID information is correct.

Claim 15

The method of claim 11, wherein the adjusting step comprises the steps of: setting the scale factor to a minimum scale factor; receiving caller ID information; determining if received caller ID information is correct; and if the received caller ID information is not correct, increasing the scale factor and repeating the receiving step.

Claim 16

The method of claim 13 wherein the adjusting step further comprises, before the receiving step, the steps of: detecting the presence of caller ID information; and if no caller ID information is detected, increasing the scale factor and repeating the adjustment step.

Claim 17

The method of claim 14 wherein the adjusting step further comprises, after the step of increasing the scale factor after no caller ID information is detected, the steps of: determining if the scale factor is at a maximum level; and if the scale factor is at a maximum level, halting the reception of caller ID information.

Claim 18

The method of claim 13 wherein the adjusting step further comprises, before the receiving step, the steps of: detecting the presence of caller ID information; and if no caller ID information is detected for a third predetermined number of telephone calls, increasing the scale factor and repeating the adjustment step.

Claim 19

The method of claim 16 wherein the adjusting step further comprises, after the step of increasing the scale factor after no caller ID information is detected, the steps of: determining if the scale factor is at a maximum level; and if the scale factor is at a maximum level, displaying a message for a user and halting the reception of caller ID information.