U.S. patent application number 09/073703 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-09 for apparatus and method for cost effective caller identification and call-waiting for a multi-line telephone.
This patent application is currently assigned to CASIO COMMUNICATIONS, INC.. Invention is credited to KARNOWSKI, MARK J..
Application Number | 20010012349 09/073703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22115275 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010012349 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KARNOWSKI, MARK J. |
August 9, 2001 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COST EFFECTIVE CALLER IDENTIFICATION AND
CALL-WAITING FOR A MULTI-LINE TELEPHONE
Abstract
Consumer process equipment (CPE) for cost effective caller
identification (CID) and call-waiting (CW) for a multi-line
telephone includes a single CIDCW detection circuit and a single
switch for coupling the single CIDCW detection circuit between a
plurality of telephone lines. The CPE is able to process CIDCW
information over a plurality of telephone lines by dynamically
switching the single switch from one telephone line to another,
depending upon the current state of the CPE.
Inventors: |
KARNOWSKI, MARK J.; (LONG
BEACH, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN &
LANGER & CHICK, PC
767 THIRD AVENUE
25TH AVE
NEW YORK
NY
10017-2023
US
|
Assignee: |
CASIO COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
|
Family ID: |
22115275 |
Appl. No.: |
09/073703 |
Filed: |
May 6, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/156 ;
379/142.08; 379/215.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/573 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/156 ;
379/142.08; 379/215.01 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00; H04M
001/56 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A consumer premises equipment (CPE) for receiving caller
identification (CID) information from plurality of telephone lines,
said CPE comprising: a plurality of telephone line circuits
corresponding to the plurality of telephone lines for receiving at
least one of CID information and CPE alerting signal (CAS) tones
from said plurality of telephone lines; a single detector for
detecting said CID information and CAS tones from said plurality of
telephone lines; a microprocessor coupled to said single detector
and said plurality of telephone line circuits, the microprocessor
providing a control signal; a switch coupled to said microprocessor
and being interposed between the single detector and the plurality
of telephone line circuits and being responsive to said control
signal, for operatively switchably coupling one of said plurality
of telephone line circuits to said single detector.
2. The CPE as defined by claim 1, wherein said switch operatively
switching couples one of said plurality of the telephone line
circuits to said detector based on a primary set of priorities.
3. The CPE as defined by claim 2, wherein one of said plurality of
telephone line circuits has a higher priority in comparison to the
other of said plurality of telephone line circuits, and wherein
said one of said plurality of telephone line circuits is
operatively coupled to said single detector.
4. The CPE as defined by claim 2, wherein said set of primary
priorities comprises: a. setting said switch to operatively couple
said single detector to one of said plurality of telephone line
circuits that is receiving a ring signal from a corresponding one
of the plurality of telephone lines; and b. setting said switch to
operatively couple said detector to one of said plurality of
telephone line circuits in which the CPE is off-hook but not on
hold.
5. The CPE as defined by claim 4, wherein said primary set of
priorities further comprises setting said switch to operatively
couple said single detector to one of said plurality of telephone
line circuits having said CPE on-hook on one of said plurality of
telephone lines that is off-hook.
6. The CPE as defined by claim 5, wherein said primary set of
priorities further comprises setting said switch to operatively
couple said single detector to one of said plurality of telephone
line circuits in which the CPE is on hold on one of said plurality
of telephone lines.
7. The CPE as defined by claim 6, wherein said CPE being on-hook on
one of said plurality of telephone lines that is off-hook is given
a higher priority than said CPE being on hold on one of said
plurality of telephone lines.
8. The CPE as defined by claim 5, wherein said CPE being off-hook
but not on hold on one of the plurality of telephone lines is a
higher priority than having said CPE on-hook on one of said
plurality of telephone lines that is off-hook.
9. The CPE as defined by claim 4, wherein said reception of said
ring signal on one of said plurality of telephone lines is a higher
priority than said CPE being off-hook but not on hold on one of
said plurality of telephone lines.
10. The CPE as defined by claim 2, further comprising a secondary
set of priorities such that when there are approximately
simultaneous multiple telephone line circuits with equal but higher
priorities in comparison to the other of said plurality of
telephone line circuits, said switch operatively couples one of
said multiple telephone line circuits to said single detector
further based on a highest of said secondary set of priorities.
11. The CPE as defined by claim 10, wherein said secondary set of
priorities comprises assigning a priority level to each of said
plurality of telephone line circuits.
12. The CPE as defined by claim 1, wherein said switch operatively
couples said single detector to a default telephone line circuit
when all of said plurality of telephone lines are on-hook and not
receiving a ring signal.
13. The CPE as defined by claim 1, wherein said switch may be
prevented from coupling a telephone line circuit to said single
detector.
14. A consumer premises equipment (CPE) for receiving caller
identification (CID) information from a plurality of telephone
lines, said CPE comprising: a plurality of telephone line circuits
corresponding to the plurality of telephone lines for receiving CID
information from said plurality of telephone lines; a single
detector for detecting said CID information provided by said
plurality of telephone lines; a microprocessor being coupled to
said single detector and said plurality of telephone line circuits,
the microprocessor providing a control signal; a switch coupled to
said microprocessor and being interposed between the single
detector and the plurality of telephone line circuits, and being
responsive to said control signal, for operatively switchably
coupling one of said plurality of telephone line circuits to said
single detector.
15. The CPE as defined by claim 14, wherein said switch operatively
switchably couples one of said plurality of the telephone line
circuits to said detector based on a primary set of priorities.
16. The CPE as defined by claim 15, wherein one of said plurality
of telephone line circuits has a higher priority in comparison to
the other of said plurality of telephone line circuits, and wherein
said one of said plurality of telephone line circuits is
operatively coupled to said single detector.
17. The CPE as defined by claim 15, wherein said primary set of
priorities includes: a. setting said switch to operatively couple
said single detector to one of said plurality of telephone line
circuits that is receiving a ring signal from a corresponding one
of the plurality of telephone lines; b. setting said switch to
operatively couple said single detector to one of said plurality of
telephone line circuits in which the CPE is on-hook.
18. The CPE as defined by claim 17, wherein said reception of said
ring signal on one of said plurality of telephone lines is a higher
priority than said CPE being on-hook on one of said plurality of
telephone lines.
19. The CPE as defined by claim 15, further comprising a secondary
set of priorities such that when there are approximately
simultaneous multiple telephone line circuits with equal but higher
priorities in comparison to the other of said plurality of
telephone line circuits, said switch operatively couples one of
said multiple telephone line circuits to said detector further
based on a highest of said secondary set of priorities.
20. The CPE as defined by claim 19, wherein said secondary set of
priorities includes assigning a priority level to each of said
plurality of telephone line circuits.
21. The CPE as defined by claim 14, wherein said switch operatively
couples said single detector to a default telephone line circuit
when all of said plurality of telephone lines are on-hook and not
receiving a ring signal.
22. The CPE as defined by claim 14, wherein said switch may be
prevented from coupling a telephone line circuit to said single
detector.
23. A method for a consumer premises equipment (CPE) to receive
caller identification (CID) information over a plurality of
telephone lines, said method comprising the steps of: a.
determining whether to couple a single detector to one of said
plurality of telephone line circuits; b. operatively coupling one
of said plurality of telephone line circuits to said single
detector; and c. utilizing a single detector to detect said CID
information over a plurality of telephone lines.
24. The method as defined by claim 23, wherein step a comprises
making the determination based on a primary set of priorities.
25. The method as defined by claim 24, wherein step a comprises:
comparing the status of said plurality of telephone lines; and
determining a highest of said primary set of priorities on said
plurality of telephone lines.
26. The method as defined by claim 24, wherein said primary set of
priorities comprises: said CPE detecting a ring signal on any one
of said plurality of telephone lines; and said CPE being off-hook
but not on hold on any of one of said plurality of telephone
lines.
27. The method as defined by claim 26, wherein said primary set of
priorities further comprises said CPE being on-hook on any of said
plurality of telephone lines that is on-hook.
28. The method as defined by claim 27, wherein said CPE being
off-hook but not on hold on any of the plurality of telephone lines
is determined to be a higher priority than said CPE being on-hook
on any of said plurality of telephone lines that is off-hook.
29. The method as defined by claim 26, wherein said CPE detecting a
ring signal on any of said plurality of telephone lines is
determined to be a higher priority than said CPE being off-hook but
not on hold on any of said plurality of telephone lines.
30. The method as defined by claim 26, wherein said primary set of
priorities further comprises said CPE being on-hold on any of said
plurality of telephone lines.
31. The method as defined by claim 30, wherein said CPE being
on-hook on any of said plurality of telephone lines is determined
to be a higher priority than said CPE being on hold on any of said
plurality of telephone lines.
32. The method as defined by claim 25, further comprising:
determining whether to couple said single detector to said one of a
plurality of telephone line circuits based on a secondary set of
priorities when there are multiple telephone line circuits with
equal but higher priorities in comparison to the other of said
plurality of telephone line circuits.
33. The method as defined by claim 32, wherein said secondary set
of priorities comprises assigning a priority level to each of said
plurality of telephone line circuits.
34. The method as defined by claim 25, wherein said primary set of
priorities comprises: said CPE detecting a ring signal on any of
said plurality of telephone lines; and said CPE being on-hook on
any of said plurality of telephone lines.
35. The method as defined by claim 34, wherein said CPE detecting a
ring signal on any of said plurality of telephone lines is
determined to be a higher priority than said CPE being on-hook on
any of said plurality of telephone lines.
36. The method as defined by claim 23, wherein said CPE couples
said single detector to a default telephone line circuit when all
of said plurality of telephone lines are on-hook and not receiving
a ring signal.
37. The CPE as defined by claim 23, wherein the CPE prevents said
switch from coupling a telephone line circuit from said single
detector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to customer premises equipment
(CPE) (e.g. a telephone base and receiver unit) for use in
telephone subscriber systems and more particularly to a customer
premises equipment for use in telephone subscriber systems having
caller identification (CID) and call waiting (CW) on a plurality of
telephone lines.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] The call-waiting (CW) feature is generally well-known and
available on many telephone systems (i.e., central offices). In
conventional CW, when a subscriber to the CW service is engaged in
a telephone conversation with a second party, the central office
notifies the subscriber when a third party is attempting to call
the subscriber. Typically, the central office notifies the
subscriber of the incoming third party call by providing a CW tone
or "click" which is audible to the subscriber. The subscriber then
has the option to place the second party on hold and speak to the
third party, or to ignore the CW signal and continue speaking to
the second party.
[0005] Another service offered on some central offices is caller
identification (CID). In the conventional CID feature the central
office transmits a digitally encoded signal, representing the
telephone number of a calling party, to a subscriber's customer
premises equipment (CPE) (e.g., a telephone base and receiver
unit). Provided that the subscriber's CPE is equipped with the
appropriate receiving and decoding circuitry, the subscriber can
view the calling party's telephone number on a display device and
decide whether or not to answer the telephone call.
[0006] Some CPEs permit a subscriber to combine the CW and CID
features in a single CPE (for example, CIDCW CPE) whereby the
subscriber's CIDCW CPE displays a third party's CID information,
(for example, the third party's name, telephone number, and any
other information transmitted from the central office) while the
subscriber is in communication with a second party. This allows the
subscriber to make an informed decision as to whether or not to
interrupt a current telephone call with the second party in order
to answer the incoming call from the third party.
[0007] Some subscribers find it convenient to have access to
multiple telephone lines. Although there are various CPEs capable
of handling multiple telephone lines, should a subscriber want to
implement the CIDCW feature on each of the telephone lines, a
separate CIDCW CPE for each of the telephone lines is generally
required. Obviously, this can be cumbersome and expensive for the
user.
[0008] One solution may be to combine the circuitry from multiple
CIDCW CPEs under a single housing. If so, the number of circuit
elements needed to process CIDCW information for a single telephone
line would be multiplied by the number of telephone lines the CPE
is capable of handling. That is, for example, a two line CIDCW CPE
would have two CID detectors (i.e., a separate CID detector for
each telephone line). Of course, as the number of circuit elements
within a CPE are multiplied, the size and cost of the CPE
increases. Clearly, there is a need for a cost-effective CPE and
method that is capable of detecting, receiving and processing CID
information over a plurality of telephone lines.
[0009] The CID and CIDCW features are well-known and are described
in TR-NWT-000031, CLASS Feature: Calling Number Delivery, FSD
01-02-1090, (A module of LSSGR, FR NWT 000064) Issue 4 (Bellcore,
December 1992) TR-NWT-000575, CLASS Feature: Calling Identify
Delivery on Call Waiting, FSD 01-02-1090, (A module of LSSGR,
FR-NWT-000064) Issue 1 (Bellcore, October 1992), plus Revision 1,
December 1994, the entire disclosure of each is incorporated herein
by reference.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a multiple line customer premises equipment (CPE) that is
capable of receiving caller identification (CID) information over a
plurality of telephone lines.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
multiple line CPE that is capable of handling the caller
identification and call-waiting (CIDCW) feature over a plurality of
telephone lines.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
cost-effective multiple line CPE capable of handling caller
identification (CID) information with or without the call-waiting
feature (CW) over a plurality of telephone lines.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a multiple line CPE that utilizes a single circuit for detecting
CID information over a plurality of telephone lines.
[0014] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a multiple line CPE that is capable of selectively enabling
and disabling the CID feature over any of the plurality of
telephone lines.
[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a multiple line CPE that is capable of selectively enabling
and disabling the CW feature over any of the plurality of telephone
lines.
[0016] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a multiple line CPE that determines, based on a set of
priorities, which one of a plurality of telephone lines on which to
receive CID information.
[0017] It is yet still another object of the present invention to
display received CID information and on which of the plurality of
telephone lines the CID information is received.
[0018] In accordance with one form of the present invention, a
customer premises equipment (CPE) is provided that is capable of
accepting a plurality of telephone lines and receiving caller
identification (CID) information from a central office on each of
the plurality of telephone lines.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the CPE
is able to process CID information over a plurality of telephone
lines by dynamically switching the connection of a CID detector
from one telephone line to another, depending on the current state
of the CPE. For example, in a two-line, CIDCW embodiment of the
present invention, if the CPE is first engaged on Line-1 and a ring
is received on Line-2, the CID detector is switched to Line-2 in
order to detect the CID information. After the CID information from
Line-2 is received, if Line-1 is still off-hook, the CID detector
is reconnected to Line-1 in order to be able to detect CIDCW
information from a second call on Line-1. It should be noted that
during this process, the telephone conversation on Line-1 is
allowed to proceed uninterrupted. However, if Line-1 is no longer
off-hook and Line-2 is now off-hook, the CID detector remains
coupled to Line-2. When Line-2 goes back on-hook, the CID detector
reconnects to Line-1.
[0020] Switching a single CID detector between multiple telephone
lines prevents the user from simultaneously receiving CID
information over multiple telephone lines. However, the probability
of receiving simultaneous telephone calls, particularly for a
two-line CPE, has been determined to be relatively low. Therefore,
the cost-savings in using the fewer components justifies the loss
of that feature. Furthermore, since typical display components
(i.e. liquid crystal displays) incorporated in most CID CPEs will
display only one set of CID information at a time, simultaneously
received CID information could not be simultaneously displayed.
[0021] Still further, a user may choose not to subscribe to the CID
or CIDCW feature for all of the available telephone lines or may
choose not to utilize all of the available telephone line
connections. Therefore, it would not be necessary for the CPE to
switch the CID circuitry to those telephone lines which do not
subscribe to the CID and/or CIDCW feature or to the telephone lines
that are not connected to the CPE. In an embodiment of the present
invention where a telephone line is connected to the CPE but does
not subscribe to the CID or CIDCW feature, the user may selectively
disable the CID or CIDCW feature for the specified telephone lines,
to prevent the CID/CIDCW circuit from unnecessarily connecting to a
particular telephone line. Hereinafter, the CID or CIDCW feature is
considered "enabled" if the user subscribes to the respective
feature and the CPE is not prevented from accepting any aspect of
the respective feature.
[0022] A user may incorporate the present invention in any number
of devices available, including a corded telephone, a base unit
speakerphone, a cordless handset, a computer having a modem, a
video phone, or a facsimile machine.
[0023] A preferred form of the apparatus and method which provides
a cost effective CID and CW for a multiline telephone, as well as
other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this
invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description
of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a two-line customer premises
equipment (CPE) for providing caller identification (CID)
information over two telephone lines in accordance with the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion of an N-line CPE for
providing CID information over N-telephone lines in accordance with
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of the
operation of a two-line CID CPE for switching the two-line CID
CPE's CID circuitry between two telephone lines having the CID
feature enabled on both telephone lines, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of the
operation of a two-line CID CPE for switching the two-line CID
CPE's CID circuitry between two telephone lines, depending on
whether the CID feature is enabled or disabled on the telephone
lines, in accordance with the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a partial flow diagram showing an embodiment of
the operation of a two-line CIDCW CPE for switching the two-line
CIDCW CPE's CID circuitry between two telephone lines, depending on
whether the CW feature is enabled or disabled on the telephone
lines, in accordance with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a continuation of the
partial flow diagram of FIG. 5 if the CIDCW feature is enabled on
both telephone lines in accordance with the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a continuation of the
partial flow diagram of FIG. 5 if the CIDCW feature is enabled on
both telephone lines for a two-line CPE having a hold feature for
each of the telephone lines, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 8a is a partial flow diagram showing an embodiment of
the operation of an N-line CIDCW CPE for switching the N-line CIDCW
CPE's CID circuitry between N-telephone lines, each telephone line
having the CIDCW feature enabled, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 8b is a flow diagram showing a continuation of the
partial flow diagram of FIG. 8a; and
[0033] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of the
operation for processing and displaying CID information, including
the telephone line on which the CID information was received, in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a customer premises
equipment (CPE) 10 for providing caller identification (CID)
information over two telephone lines in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention is shown. The CPE 10 includes a
Line-1 circuit 20 coupled to the tip T1 and ring R1 leads of a
first telephone line (Line-1) 32. The Line-1 circuit 20 includes a
first off-hook sensor 22 operably coupled to both the tip and ring
leads of the first telephone line 32 for determining whether the
first telephone line 32 is in an "on-hook" or "off-hook" condition.
This information is provided to a microprocessor 38. The line-1
circuit also includes a first ring detector 24 operably coupled to
both the tip and ring leads of the first telephone line 32. The
ring detector 24 alerts the CPE 10 when an incoming call has
arrived on the first telephone line 32 by providing ring detect
signals to the microprocessor 38. The Line-1 circuit also includes
a first AC line interface 26 operably coupled to both the tip and
ring leads of the first telephone line 32 for passing AC signals,
such as CPE alerting signal (CAS) tones and modulated CID
information, to a first leg 34a of a first single pole double throw
(SPDT) switch 34. The Line-1 circuit also includes a first
transformer 28 operably coupled to the tip and ring leads of the
first telephone line 32, and a first hook switch 30 coupled to the
transformer for selectively passing signals provided by the
transformer to a first leg 42a of a second SPDT switch 42.
[0035] The CPE 10 also includes a Line-2 circuit 40 coupled to the
tip T2 and ring R2 leads of a second telephone line (Line 2) 54.
The Line-2 circuit 40 is similar to the Line-1 circuit 20 in form
and function. The Line-2 circuit 40 includes a second off-hook
sensor 44, a second ring detector 46, a second AC line interface
48, a second transformer 50, and a second hook switch 52. The
second AC line interface 48 passes AC signals from the second
telephone line 62 to a second leg 34b of the first SPDT switch 34.
The second hook switch 52, which is coupled to the transformer 50,
selectively passes signals provided by the transformer to a second
leg 42b of the second SPDT switch 42.
[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the
first and second AC line interfaces, 26 and 48, comprises a
differential amplifier circuit.
[0037] The CPE 10 further includes a caller identification and
call-waiting (CIDCW) detection circuit 36 operatively coupled to
the first SPDT switch 34. The CIDCW detection circuit 36 detects
the CAS tones and CID information provided by the first and second
AC line interfaces 26 and 48. Although in the preferred embodiment
of the present invention the CIDCW detection circuit 36 is
incorporated in a single integrated circuit (IC), the CIDCW
detection circuit 36 may be comprised of a separate CAS detector
and CID detector (that is, discrete components). In the case of
Type I Caller ID (CID without the CW feature), the CIDCW detection
circuit 36 may be replaced with a CID detection circuit.
[0038] Under the control of the microprocessor 38, the first SPDT
switch 34 switches between the output of the first AC line
interface 26 (i.e. first leg 34a) and the output of the second AC
interface 48 (i.e. second leg 34b). The microprocessor 38 is
operatively coupled to the CIDCW detection circuit 36, and
depending on the position of the first SPDT switch 34, will process
caller identification (CID) information received from either Line-1
(i.e. first telephone line 32) or Line-2 (i.e. second telephone
line 62). The microprocessor 38 is also operatively coupled to a
display 60 for displaying the received and processed CID
information. Alternatively, concurrently or subsequently, the CID
information may be provided by the microprocessor 38 to a different
device (not shown) for further processing of the CID information
(e.g., a memory for storage, CID voice announcement device,
etc.).
[0039] The CPE 10 further includes a speech network 54 operatively
coupled to the microprocessor 38 and the second SPDT switch 42.
Under the control of the microprocessor 38, the second SPDT switch
is alternately coupled between the output of the first hook switch
30 (i.e. first leg 42a) and the output of the second hook switch 52
(i.e. second leg 42b). A receiver 56 (e.g. an earphone or
loudspeaker) is operatively coupled to the microprocessor 38 and
the speech network 54 so that speech signals received from the
telephone line circuits 20 and 40, via the second SPDT switch 42,
may be processed and output by the receiver 56. A microphone 58 is
operatively coupled to the speech network 54 so that microphone
(transmit) speech signals may be processed and passed to the
appropriate telephone line circuit 20 or 40, via the second SPDT
switch 42.
[0040] After receiving notification of incoming CIDCW information
via a CAS tone, the microprocessor 38 generates and transmits an
acknowledgment signal (ACK) to the speech network 54 for
transmission to the appropriate telephone line circuit 20 or 40. In
addition, if CPE 10 is engaged on telephone line 32 or 62 when a
second call is received on the same telephone line, the
microprocessor 38 generates and transmits a tone (BEEP) to the
receiver 56 in order to notify the user of the second incoming call
on the engaged telephone line.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a CPE 11 in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is
shown. FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 except that the two-line
embodiment is expanded to accommodate a plurality of telephone
lines (i.e. N telephone lines), by employing switching devices
capable of coupling to N telephone lines and increasing the number
of circuit elements, as required, to accommodate the N telephone
lines.
[0042] The CPE 11 in accordance with the second embodiment includes
a plurality of telephone line circuits coupled to a plurality of
telephone lines (not shown) in a manner similar to the Line-1
circuit 20 (or Line-2 circuit 40) of FIG. 1. For example, for a
six-line telephone, the first telephone line will connect to Line-1
circuit 20, the second telephone line will connect to Line-2
circuit 40, and so on. The fifth telephone line will connect to
Line-(N-1) circuit 70 and the sixth telephone line will connect to
Line-N circuit 80.
[0043] Similar in form and function to the telephone line circuits
20 and 40 in FIG. 1, the line circuits of FIG. 2 (20, 40, 70 and
80) each include an off-hook sensor, a ring detector, an AC line
interface, a transformer, and a hook switch.
[0044] In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first SPDT
switch 34 (FIG. 1) is replaced with a first single pole, N-throw
(SPNT) switch 90, where N is equal to the number of telephone lines
connected to CPE 11. The second SPDT switch 42 of FIG. 1, is
replaced with a second SPNT switch 92. The balance of the CPE 11
circuitry is similar in form and function to that of CPE 10 of FIG.
1. Specifically, the CPE 11 includes CIDCW detection circuit 36,
microprocessor 38, speech network 54, receiver 56, microphone 58,
and display 60. As was mentioned in connection with the first
embodiment, the CIDCW detection circuit 36 of the second embodiment
may comprise a separate CAS detector and CID detector, and in the
case of Type I Caller ID, the CIDCW detection circuit 36 may be
replaced with a CID detection circuit.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram illustrating the
operation of a two-line CID CPE for switching the two-line CID
CPE's CID circuitry between two telephone lines having the CID
feature enabled on both telephone lines in accordance with the
present invention is shown. Initially, the CPE (ring detector 2,
46) determines if there is a ring signal on telephone Line-2 (Step
200). If there is a ring signal on Line-2 (YES in Step 200), a CID
switch couples the CID circuit to Line-2 (Step 202) and the CPE
checks for any CID information (Step D). At Step 200, if there is
no incoming call on Line-2 (NO in Step 200), the CID switch couples
the CID circuit to telephone Line-1 (Step 204) and the CPE checks
for any CID information (Step D). Therefore, the CPE sets the CID
switch to couple the CID circuit to Line-1 unless there is a ring
signal on Line-2.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram illustrating the
operation of a two-line CID CPE for switching the two-line CID
CPE's CID circuitry between two telephone lines, depending on
whether the CID feature is enabled or disabled on the telephone
lines, in accordance with the present invention is shown.
Initially, the CPE determines if the CID feature is enabled for
Line-2 (Step 220). If the CID feature is disabled for Line-2 (NO in
Step 220), Line-2 will not receive CID data. Therefore, the CID
switch always couples the CID circuit to Line-1 (Step 222) and the
CPE checks for any CID information (Step D). At Step 220, if the
CID feature is enabled for Line-2 (YES in Step 220), the CPE
determines if the CID feature is also enabled for Line-1 (Step
224). If the CID feature is disabled for Line-1 (NO in Step 224),
Line-1 never receives CID data. Therefore, the CID switch always
couples the CID circuit to Line-2 (Step 226) and the CPE checks for
any CID information (Step D). At Step 224, if the CID feature on
Line-1 is enabled (YES in Step 224) which indicates that the CID
feature of both Line-1 and Line-2 are enabled, the CPE determines
if there is a ring signal on telephone Line-2 (Step 228). If there
is a ring signal on Line-2 (YES in Step 228), a CID switch couples
the CID circuit to Line-2 (Step 230) and the CPE checks for any CID
information (Step D). At Step 228, if there is no incoming call on
Line-2 (NO in Step 228), the CID switch couples the CID circuit to
telephone Line-1 (Step 232) and the CPE checks for any CID
information (Step D).
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 5, a partial flow diagram illustrating
the operation of a two-line CIDCW CPE for switching the two-line
CIDCW CPE's CID circuitry between two telephone lines, depending on
whether the CW feature is enabled or disabled, in accordance with
the present invention is shown. Initially, the CPE determines if
the CW feature is enabled for Line-1 (Step 250). If the CW feature
is disabled for Line-1 (NO in Step 250), the CPE determines if
Line-1 is in an off-hook condition (Step 252). If Line-1 is
off-hook (YES in Step 252), since the CW feature is disabled for
Line-1 and will not be able to receive CID data over the occupied
telephone line, a CID switch couples the CIDCW circuit to Line-2
(Step 254) and the CPE checks for any CID information (Step D). At
Step 252, if Line-1 is on-hook (NO in Step 252), the CPE determines
if there is a ring signal on Line-1 (Step 256). If there is a ring
signal on Line-1 (YES in Step 256), the CID switch couples the
CIDCW circuit to Line-1 (Step 258) and the CPE checks for any CID
information (Step D). At Step 256, if there is no incoming call on
Line-1 (NO in Step 256), the CID switch couples the CIDCW circuit
to Line-2 (Step 260) and the CPE checks for a CAS tone or any CID
information (Step D).
[0048] Referring again to Step 250, if the CW feature is enabled
for Line-1 (YES in Step 250), the CPE determines if the CW feature
is also enabled for Line-2 (Step 262). If the CW feature is enabled
for Line-2 (YES in Step 262), the method must arbitrate further to
determine which telephone line to couple the CID circuit (Step C)
At Step 262, if the CW feature is disabled for Line-2 (NO in Step
262), the CPE determines if Line-2 is in an off-hook condition
(Step 264). If Line-2 is off-hook (YES in Step 264), since the CW
feature is disabled for Line-2 and will not be able to receive CID
data over the occupied telephone line, a CID switch couples the
CIDCW circuit to Line-1 (Step 266) and the CPE checks for a CAS
tone or any CID information (Step D). At Step 264, if Line-2 is
on-hook (NO in Step 264), the CPE determines if there is a ring
signal on Line-2 (Step 268). If there is a ring signal on Line-2
(YES in Step 268), the CID switch couples the CIDCW circuit to
Line-2 (Step 270) and the CPE checks for any CID data (Step D). At
Step 268, if there is no incoming call on Line-2 (NO in Step 268),
the CID switch couples the CIDCW circuit to Line-1 (Step 272) and
the CPE checks for a CAS tone or any CID information (Step D).
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow diagram which continues the
flow diagram of FIG. 5 for the case where the CIDCW feature is
enabled on both telephone lines in accordance with the present
invention is shown. The CPE determines if there is a ring signal on
telephone Line-1 (Step 300). If there is a ring signal on Line-1
(YES in Step 300), the CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-1 (Step
302) and the CPE checks for any CID information (Step D). At Step
300, if there is no incoming call on Line-1 (NO in Step 300), the
CPE determines if there is a ring signal on telephone Line-2 (Step
304). If there is a ring signal on Line-2 (YES in Step 304), the
CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-2 (Step 306) and the CPE checks
for any CID information (Step D). At Step 304, if there is no
incoming call on Line-2 (NO in Step 304), the CPE determines if the
CPE is off-hook on Line-1 (Step 308). If the CPE is off-hook on
Line-1 (YES in Step 308), then the CIDCW circuit is coupled to
Line-1 (Step 310) in order to detect a second incoming call (via a
CAS tone) on Line-1 (Step D). At Step 308, if the CPE is on-hook on
Line-1 (NO in Step 308), the CPE determines if it is off-hook on
Line-2 (Step 312). If the CPE is off-hook on Line-2 (YES in Step
312), then the CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-2 (Step 314) in
order to detect a second incoming call (via a CAS tone) on Line-2
(Step D). At Step 312, if the CPE is on-hook on Line-2 (NO in Step
312), the CPE determines if Line-1 is in use (i.e. another CPE is
off-hook on Line-1) (Step 316). If Line-1 is in use (YES in Step
316), the CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-1 (Step 318) and the CPE
checks for any CID information (Step D). If Line-1 is not in use
(NO in Step 316), the CPE determines if Line-2 is in use (Step
320). At Step 320, if Line-2 is in use (YES in Step 320), the CIDCW
circuit is coupled to Line-2 (Step 322) and the CPE checks for any
CID information (Step D). If Line-2 is not in use (NO in Step 320),
the CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-1 (Step 324).
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram which continues the
flow diagram of FIG. 5 for the case where the CIDCW feature is
enabled on both telephone lines and the CPE has a hold feature for
each of the telephone lines in accordance with the present
invention is shown. Initially, the CPE determines if there is a
ring signal on telephone Line-1 (Step 350). If there is a ring
signal on Line-1 (YES in Step 352), the CIDCW circuit is coupled to
Line-1 (Step 352) and the CPE checks for any CID information (Step
D). At Step 350, if there is no incoming call on Line-1 (NO in Step
350), the CPE determines if there is a ring signal on telephone
Line-2 (Step 354). If there is a ring signal on Line-2 (YES in Step
354), the CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-2 (Step 356) and the CPE
checks for any CID information (Step D). At Step 354, if there is
no incoming call on Line-2 (NO in Step 354), the CPE determines if
the CPE is "active" on Line-1 (Step 358). That is, the CPE
determines if the CPE is off-hook but not on hold. If the CPE is
active on Line-1 (YES in Step 358), then the CIDCW circuit is
coupled to Line-1 (Step 360) in order to be able to receive CID
information from a second call on Line-1 (Step D). At Step 358, if
the CPE is not active on Line-1 (NO in Step 358), the CPE
determines if it is active on Line-2 (Step 362). If the CPE is
active on Line-2 (YES in Step 362), then the CIDCW circuit is
coupled to Line-2 (Step 364) in order to be able to receive CID
information from a second call on Line-2 (Step D). At Step 362, if
the CPE is not active on Line-2 (NO in Step 362), the CPE
determines if Line-1 is in use (i.e. off-hook) (Step 366). If
Line-1 is in use (YES in Step 366), the CPE determines if Line-1 of
the CPE is on hold (Step 368). If Line-1 of the CPE is not on hold
(NO in Step 368), the CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-1 (Step 370)
and the CPE checks for a CAS tone or any CID information (Step D).
At Step 368, if Line-1 of the CPE is on hold (YES in Step 368), the
CPE determines if Line-2 of the CPE is on hold (Step 372). If
Line-2 of the CPE is on hold (YES in Step 372), the CIDCW circuit
is coupled to Line-1 (Step 374) and the CPE checks for a CAS tone
or any CID information (Step D). At Step 372, if the CPE is not on
hold on Line-2 (NO in Step 372), the CPE determines if Line-2 is in
use (Step 376).
[0051] Once the CPE determines that a) Line-1 is not in use; or b)
Line-1 of the CPE is on hold but Line-2 of the CPE is not on hold
(either NO in Step 366 or NO in Step 372), the CPE determines if
Line-2 is in use (Step 376). If Line-2 is in use (YES in Step 376),
the CIDCW circuit is coupled to Line-2 (Step 378) and the CPE
checks for a CAS tone or any CID information (Step D). At Step 376,
if Line-2 is not in use (NO in Step 376), the CIDCW circuit is
coupled to Line-1 (Step 380) and the CPE checks for any CID
information (Step D).
[0052] The CPE prioritizes the events that determine when the CID
circuit will be coupled to any given telephone line. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, the order of priority is: 1)
whether a ring signal is received on a telephone line; 2) whether
the CPE is off-hook on a telephone line; 3) whether there is a
telephone line in use on a telephone line in which the CPE is not
on hold; and 4) whether the CPE is on hold on a telephone line. In
the preferred embodiment, if both telephone lines are of the same
priority, higher consideration is given to Line-1 over Line-2. Of
course, Line-2 could just as well be given higher priority without
affecting the scope of the present invention.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 8a and 8b, a flow diagram
illustrating the operation of an N-line CPE for switching the
N-line CPE's CIDCW circuitry between N telephone lines, depending
on whether the CIDCW feature is enabled or disabled, in accordance
with the present invention is shown. FIGS. 8a and 8b are similar to
FIG. 7 except that the two-line embodiment is expanded to
accommodate a plurality of telephone lines (i.e. N telephone
lines). The order of priorities in determining when the CIDCW
circuit will be coupled to any given telephone line is the same as
for the two-line CPE. Specifically, the order of priorities: is 1)
whether a ring signal is received on a telephone line (Steps
400-422); 2) whether the CPE is active on a telephone line (Steps
424-446); 3) whether there is a telephone line in use in which the
CPE is not on hold (Steps 448-478); and 4) whether the CPE is on
hold on a telephone line (Steps 480-502). If none of the preceding
priorities apply, the CIDCW circuit will be coupled to Line-1 (Step
504) and the CPE checks for any CID information (Step D).
[0054] In the preferred embodiment, when there are multiple lines
of the same priority, the lower numbered telephone line is given
first consideration. For example, if Line-2 and Line-4 both receive
ring signals at the same time, the CIDCW circuit will be coupled to
Line-2 (the lower numbered telephone line).
[0055] It will be appreciated that a set of priorities may be
established for a CPE that has CID without the CW feature. In such
a case, the priorities are preferably: 1) whether a ring signal is
received on a telephone line; and 2) whether the CPE is on-hook on
a telephone line, ordered respectively.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow diagram illustrating the
operation for processing and displaying CID information, including
the telephone line on which the CID information was received, in
accordance with the present invention is shown. Once the CID
circuit is operatively connected to a telephone line, the CPE
checks for a CAS tone, CID information, or other modulated signals
sent from the central office (Step 600). If such modulated signals
are not detected (NO in Step 600), the operation is abandoned and
the method ends. At Step 600, if modulated signals are detected
(YES in Step 600), the signals (i.e. CID data) are received and
processed (Step 602) for display by the CPE (Step 604). At Step
604, the CPE also displays the appropriate telephone line in which
the CID data was received (line status). The CID data and telephone
line status are then stored for further processing (Step 606) and
the method ends. The method of receiving, processing and displaying
the CID data is well known in the art and therefore need not be
explained in detail herein.
[0057] Having described the principles and preferred embodiments of
the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will
be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those
specific embodiments, and that various modifications can be
effected thereto by one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as defined in
the appended claims.
* * * * *