Patent US4852149A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4852149A
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US
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Automated call filter
Assignee: Dialogic Corp Canada
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Filing: 1988-06-29
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Granted: 1989-07-25
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Expires: 2008-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A Call Filter System (CFS): (1) logically interfaces between a public telephone network and business customer premises equipment; (2) automatically processes incoming and outgoing calls which are amenable to such intervention; and (3) enlists the aid of human intervention on calls requiring such intervention. The CFS includes a network line interface (NLI) for receiving calls from and placing calls to the public telephone network; a premises line interface (PLI) for receiving calls from and placing calls to the business customer premises equipment; a voice processing means (VPM) which is switchably interconnected to the NLI and/or the PLI for translating audio signals transmitted thereto from the NLI or PLI and for transmitting audio signals to the NLI or PLI; a connection and switching means (CSM) for connecting and switching the NLI to either the PLI or VPM and for connecting and switching the PLI to either the NLI or VPM; and a controller for directing the activities of the NLI, PLI, VPM and CSM to automatically process incoming calls to and outgoing calls from the CFS.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas Zwick
- 👤 Charles R. Walden Jr.
- 👤 Louis J. Francz
- 👤 Jay L. Gerbehy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/5166; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/58; H04Q3/62; H04Q3/625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
428 words
A call filter apparatus for interfacing between a telephone network and customer on-premises equipment which comprises: at least one network line interface for receiving calls from and for placing calls to the telephone network in response to commands from a controller means; at least one premises line interface for receiving calls from and placing calls to the on-premises equipment in response to commands from the controller means; at least one voice processing means which is switchably interconnected to the at least one network line interface and the at least one premises line interface for translating audio signals transmitted thereto from the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface, for transmitting such translations to the controller means, and for transmitting audio signals, in response to commands and information sent thereto from the controller means, to the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface; and a connection and switching means, in response to commands from the controller means, for connecting and switching the at least one network line interface to either the at least one premises line interface or the at least one voice processing means and for connecting and switching the at least one premises line interface to either the at least one network line interface or the at least one voice processing means; wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) causes an incoming call from a calling party to the at least one network line interface from the telephone network to be answered by interaction with the at least one network line interface, the at least one voice processing means and the connection and switching means and (b) either provides further signals to the calling party or causes the calling party to be connected with a predetermined called party by interaction with the at least one premises line interface, the at least one voice processing means, and the connection and switching means; and wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) places an outgoing call to a called party over the telephone network by interaction with the at least one network line interface, the at least one voice processing means and the connection and switching means and (b) either provides further signals to the called party or causes the called party to be connected with a predetermined calling party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface by interaction with the at least one premises line interface, the at least one voice processing means, and the connection and switching means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
428 words
A call filter apparatus for interfacing between a telephone network and customer on-premises equipment which comprises: at least one network line interface for receiving calls from and for placing calls to the telephone network in response to commands from a controller means; at least one premises line interface for receiving calls from and placing calls to the on-premises equipment in response to commands from the controller means; at least one voice processing means which is switchably interconnected to the at least one network line interface and the at least one premises line interface for translating audio signals transmitted thereto from the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface, for transmitting such translations to the controller means, and for transmitting audio signals, in response to commands and information sent thereto from the controller means, to the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface; and a connection and switching means, in response to commands from the controller means, for connecting and switching the at least one network line interface to either the at least one premises line interface or the at least one voice processing means and for connecting and switching the at least one premises line interface to either the at least one network line interface or the at least one voice processing means; wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) causes an incoming call from a calling party to the at least one network line interface from the telephone network to be answered by interaction with the at least one network line interface, the at least one voice processing means and the connection and switching means and (b) either provides further signals to the calling party or causes the calling party to be connected with a predetermined called party by interaction with the at least one premises line interface, the at least one voice processing means, and the connection and switching means; and wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) places an outgoing call to a called party over the telephone network by interaction with the at least one network line interface, the at least one voice processing means and the connection and switching means and (b) either provides further signals to the called party or causes the called party to be connected with a predetermined calling party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface by interaction with the at least one premises line interface, the at least one voice processing means, and the connection and switching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller means further comprises means, in connection with the at least one network line interface, the at least one voice processing means and the connection and switching means, for conducting at least a portion of the dialogue with the calling or called party.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 2 wherein the controller means further comprises means for causing the calling or called party to be connected with a predetermined party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface at a predetermined portion of the dialogue by interaction with the connection and switching means, the at least one voice processing means, and the at least one premises line interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a communications interface connected to the controller means and wherein the controller means further comprises means, in response to commands and information received over the communications interface and in connection with the at least one network line interface, the at least one voice processing means and the connection and switching means, for conducting at least a portion of a dialogue with the calling or called party.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 4 wherein the controller means further comprises means, in response to commands and information received over the communications interface, for causing the calling or called party to be connected with a predetermined party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface at a predetermined portion of the dialogue by interaction with the connection and switching means, the at least one voice processing means, and the at least one premises line interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 2 wherein the controller means further comprises means for storing, inserting and retrieving information from a data base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 4 wherein the controller means further comprises means for sending or retrieving information to or from a data base by means of the communications interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one network line interface receives and places calls in digital form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one network line interface receives and places calls in analog form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one premises line interface receives and places calls in digital form.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one premises line interface receives and places calls in analog form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection and switching means connects and switches in digital form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection and switching means connects and switches in analog form.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
348 words
A call filter apparatus for interfacing between a telephone network and customer on-premises equipment which comprises: at least one network line interface for receiving calls from and for placing calls to the telephone network in response to commands from a controller means, the at least one network line interface being connected to at least one premises line interface for receiving calls from and placing calls to the on-premises equipment in response to commands from the controller means; at least one voice processing means which is connected to the at least one network line interface and to the at least one premises line interface for translating audio signals transmitted thereto from the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface, for transmitting such translations to the controller means, and for transmitting audio signals, in response to commands and information sent thereto from the controller means, to the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface; and wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) causes an incoming call from a calling party to the at least one network line interface from the telephone network to be answered by interaction with the at least one network line interface and the at least one voice processing means and (b) either provides further signals to the calling party or causes the calling party to be connected with a predetermined called party by interaction with the at least one premises line interface and the at least one voice processing means; and wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) places an outgoing call to a called party over the telephone network by interaction with the at least one network line interface and the at least one voice processing means and (b) either provides further signals to the called party or causes the called party to be connected with a predetermined calling party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface by interaction with the at least one premises line interface and the at least one voice processing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
348 words
A call filter apparatus for interfacing between a telephone network and customer on-premises equipment which comprises: at least one network line interface for receiving calls from and for placing calls to the telephone network in response to commands from a controller means, the at least one network line interface being connected to at least one premises line interface for receiving calls from and placing calls to the on-premises equipment in response to commands from the controller means; at least one voice processing means which is connected to the at least one network line interface and to the at least one premises line interface for translating audio signals transmitted thereto from the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface, for transmitting such translations to the controller means, and for transmitting audio signals, in response to commands and information sent thereto from the controller means, to the at least one network line interface or the at least one premises line interface; and wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) causes an incoming call from a calling party to the at least one network line interface from the telephone network to be answered by interaction with the at least one network line interface and the at least one voice processing means and (b) either provides further signals to the calling party or causes the calling party to be connected with a predetermined called party by interaction with the at least one premises line interface and the at least one voice processing means; and wherein the controller means comprises means which (a) places an outgoing call to a called party over the telephone network by interaction with the at least one network line interface and the at least one voice processing means and (b) either provides further signals to the called party or causes the called party to be connected with a predetermined calling party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface by interaction with the at least one premises line interface and the at least one voice processing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 14 wherein the controller means further comprises means, in connection with the at least one network line interface and the at least one voice processing means, for conducting at least a portion of a dialogue with the calling or called party.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 15 wherein the controller means further comprises means for causing the calling or called party to be connected with a predetermined party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface at a predetermined portion of the dialogue by interaction with the at least one voice processing means and the at least one premises line interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 14 which further comprises a communications interface connected to the controller means and wherein the controller means further comprises means, in response to commands and information received over the communications interface and in connection with the at least one network line interface and the at least one voice processing means, for conducting at least a portion of a dialogue with the calling or called party.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 17 wherein the controller means further comprises means, in response to commands and information received over the communications interface, for causing the calling or called party to be connected with a predetermined party who is connected to the at least one premises line interface at a predetermined portion of the dialogue by interaction with the at least one voice processing means and the at least one premises line interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 15 wherein the controller means further comprises means of restoring, inserting and retrieving information from a data base.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 17 wherein the controller means further comprises means for sending or retrieving information to or from a data base by means of the communications interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 14 wherein the at least one network line interface receives and places calls in digital form.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 14 wherein the at least one network line interface receives and places calls in analog form.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 14 wherein the at least one premises line interface receives and places calls in digital form.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The call filter apparatus of claim 14 wherein the at least one premises line interface receives and places calls in analog form.
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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) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |