US6118979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for signaling an incoming telephone call without an audible signal
Assignee: NICHOLSON ROBERT R III
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Filing: 1996-11-22
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Granted: 2000-09-12
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Expires: 2016-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of communicating an incoming call through a telephone receiver having an incoming call circuit and an audible signal system operatively connected to the circuit. The incoming call is communicated to a person remotely located from the receiver. The method comprises disconnecting the audible signal system, and placing on the person a pager having a receiver circuit capable of sensing the existence of an incoming call destined for the incoming call circuit of the telephone receiver. The pager having a silent announcer thereon operatively connected to the receiver circuit of the pager. Thus, the presence of an incoming call can be transmitted to the receiver circuit of the pager to actuate the vibrator without actuating the audible signal system of the telephone receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Bryan S. Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; H04M19/04; G; G08; G08B; G08B1/00; G08B1/08; H04W; H04W68/00; H04W76/00; H04W76/10; H04W88/00; H04W88/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for announcing incoming calls, comprising: a telephone receiver having an incoming call circuit connected to an audible signal system in the telephone receiver; a charger/transmitter operatively interposed between the telephone receiver and an incoming call, the charger/transmitter comprising a transmitter for generating a signal indicating the presence of an incoming call, an antenna for broadcasting the signal, and a switch for selectively disconnecting the incoming call from the audible signal system; a portable pager movable remotely from the telephone receiver and having an antenna for receiving the signal broadcast by the charger/transmitter and activating a non-audible signaler on the pager in response to the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for announcing incoming calls, comprising: a telephone receiver having an incoming call circuit connected to an audible signal system in the telephone receiver; a charger/transmitter operatively interposed between the telephone receiver and an incoming call, the charger/transmitter comprising a transmitter for generating a signal indicating the presence of an incoming call, an antenna for broadcasting the signal, and a switch for selectively disconnecting the incoming call from the audible signal system; a portable pager movable remotely from the telephone receiver and having an antenna for receiving the signal broadcast by the charger/transmitter and activating a non-audible signaler on the pager in response to the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for announcing incoming calls, comprising: a telephone receiver having an incoming call circuit connected to an audible signal system in the telephone receiver; a charger/transmitter operatively interposed between the telephone receiver and an incoming call, the charger/transmitter comprising a transmitter for generating a signal indicating the presence of an incoming call, an antenna for broadcasting the signal, and a switch for selectively disconnecting the incoming call from the audible signal system, wherein the switch has two positions, one position wherein the incoming call is disconnected from the audible signal system by the switch, and another position wherein the incoming call is connected to the audible signal system by the switch; and a portable pager movable remotely from the telephone receiver and having an antenna for receiving the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter and activating a non-audible signaler on the pager in response to the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for announcing incoming calls, comprising: a telephone receiver having an incoming call circuit connected to an audible signal system in the telephone receiver; a charger/transmitter operatively interposed between the telephone receiver and an incoming call, the charger/transmitter comprising a transmitter for generating a signal indicating the presence of an incoming call, an antenna for broadcasting the signal, and a switch for selectively disconnecting the incoming call from the audible signal system, wherein the switch has two positions, one position wherein the incoming call is disconnected from the audible signal system by the switch, and another position wherein the incoming call is connected to the audible signal system by the switch; and a portable pager movable remotely from the telephone receiver and having an antenna for receiving the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter and activating a non-audible signaler on the pager in response to the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for announcing incoming calls, comprising: a telephone receiver having an incoming call circuit connected to an audible signal system in the telephone receiver; a charger/transmitter operatively interposed between the telephone receiver and an incoming call, the charger/transmitter comprising a transmitter for generating a signal indicating the presence of an incoming call, an antenna for broadcasting the signal, and a switch for selectively disconnecting the incoming call from the audible signal system, wherein the switch is a four-position switch having a first position wherein the incoming call is disconnected from the audible signal system by the switch and the charger/transmitter is connected to the incoming call so as to transmit a signal indicating the presence of the incoming call, a second position wherein the incoming call is connected to the audible signal system by the switch and the charger/transmitter is also connected to the incoming call so as to transmit a signal indicating the presence of the incoming call, a third position wherein the incoming call is connected to the audible signal system by the switch, but the charger/transmitter is not connected to the incoming call, and a fourth position wherein the switch disconnects the incoming call from both the audible signal system and the charger/transmitter; and a portable pager movable remotely from the telephone receiver and having an antenna for receiving the signal broadcasted by the charger transmitter and activating a non-audible signaler on the pager in response to the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for announcing incoming calls, comprising: a telephone receiver having an incoming call circuit connected to an audible signal system in the telephone receiver; a charger/transmitter operatively interposed between the telephone receiver and an incoming call, the charger/transmitter comprising a transmitter for generating a signal indicating the presence of an incoming call, an antenna for broadcasting the signal, and a switch for selectively disconnecting the incoming call from the audible signal system, wherein the switch is a four-position switch having a first position wherein the incoming call is disconnected from the audible signal system by the switch and the charger/transmitter is connected to the incoming call so as to transmit a signal indicating the presence of the incoming call, a second position wherein the incoming call is connected to the audible signal system by the switch and the charger/transmitter is also connected to the incoming call so as to transmit a signal indicating the presence of the incoming call, a third position wherein the incoming call is connected to the audible signal system by the switch, but the charger/transmitter is not connected to the incoming call, and a fourth position wherein the switch disconnects the incoming call from both the audible signal system and the charger/transmitter; and a portable pager movable remotely from the telephone receiver and having an antenna for receiving the signal broadcasted by the charger transmitter and activating a non-audible signaler on the pager in response to the signal broadcasted by the charger/transmitter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |