摘要:
Apparatus and methods for automatically (i.e., without requiring manual user adjustment) reducing gain in one or both acoustic feedback paths of a cordless telephone when the handset and its base unit are operating in close proximity to one another, preventing uncontrolled feedback and audible howling even before it begins. A proximity detection module determines a distance between the handset and its base unit using an appropriate technique, e.g., using RSSI, round trip delay times, and/or GPS measurements. If the distance indicates that the handset is within close proximity to the base unit, appropriate attenuation of the microphone gain and/or speaker volume of the base unit and/or the handset will be implemented. One or more fixed levels of attenuation may be implemented based on a corresponding one or more measured close proximity distances between the handset and its base unit. Thus, the attenuation may result in a muting, a fixed amount of attenuation (e.g., 6 decibels (dB), 12 dB, or other appropriate fixed amount), or may be a variable amount dependent upon a relationship to the distance between the handset and the base unit.
摘要:
In a first embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a visual message waiting indicator signal to an off-hook telephone includes the step of receiving a voicemail message at a central location, and also includes the step of sending a visual message waiting indicator signal from the central location and destined for the off-hook telephone. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal in an off-hook telephone includes the steps of being in an off-hook condition, and receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may further include the step of displaying a visual message-waiting indicator based on the received visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may also include the step of receiving an alert signal, and the step of transmitting an acknowledgement signal in response to the alert signal. In another alternative embodiment, a telephone includes a visual message waiting indicator, and an interface unit adapted to couple the telephone to a network, such that the telephone is in an off-hook condition when coupled to the network and engaged in a communication activity, and is in an on-hook condition when coupled to the network and not engaged in a communication activity, wherein the interface unit is adapted to receive a visual message waiting indicator signal when in the off-hook condition.
摘要:
Methods and systems are provided for indicating battery information to cellular telephone users when a cellular telephone is near an associated battery charger. When a cellular telephone is within a predetermined range of the battery charger, the charger and telephone form a communication link. The link allows the charger (or telephone) to analyze the status of the telephone's battery, generate alert commands and/or generate sensory alerts as needed in order to warn a user to charge the battery. The charger can also be adapted to establish a communication link with a personal computer (“PC”) and to transmit similar commands to the personal computer via the link to allow the PC to generate sensory alerts.
摘要:
A system and method for automating the initiation of a telecommunications session and a calling card to use with the system or the method. In one embodiment, an automated telephony interface system includes a scanner and a session initiator which is coupled to the scanner. The initiator extracts a telephone number from information read by the scanner and transmits a signal containing the telephone number to a telecommunications device in order to initiate a telecommunications session.
摘要:
An apparatus and method are provided for scheduling and controlling access to physical fitness devices. A prospective user makes an entry into a reservation system reserving the timeframe to use a particular fitness device. Each physical fitness device is provided with a biometric sensor that allows a prospective user to enter biometric data into a database. The database contains records of each prospective user's biometric data. The reservation system and the biometric characteristics database are associated with a central controller. A prospective user is identified by providing biometric data to the database via the sensor associated with a particular fitness device. The central controller determines whether or not to allow the user access by determining if the user is scheduled in the reservation system.
摘要:
An system and method of reminding a user of any missing portable electronic devices when leaving a location. A reminder device transmits a signal to each of the reminder enabled devices. The reminder device then alerts the user of any reminder enabled devices that did not transmit acknowledgement signals.
摘要:
Customer premises telephone equipment and methods are provided for identifying a calling party's telephone number, household name, and city and/or state location, to a called party. The equipment and method includes one or more directories containing city and state location information corresponding to a complete listing of all area codes an local exchanges throughout a selected calling region or country. A receiver receives an incoming telephone number of an incoming telephone call and a comparator compares the received incoming telephone number with the directory or directories containing the city and state location information to identify a city and state location associated with the incoming telephone number. The equipment includes a display for displaying the incoming telephone call number, the household name, and/or the city and state location associated with the incoming call.
摘要:
A method and apparatus to provide three way conferencing which allows a third party caller to call into an existing telephone call at a single line of a called party's telephone. In one embodiment, the called party may accept the conferencing of the third party caller based on a review of received call related information, e.g., Caller ID information. The acceptance may be by flashes of the telephone line and/or by entry of a predetermined DTMF code. The telephone apparatus and/or the central office may maintain a directory of accepted third party callers which are allowed to automatically enter an existing telephone call at a called party, unless refused by the called party within a predetermined amount of time. Each entry in the directory of accepted third party callers contains a portion or all of call related information such as a telephone number and/or a household name.
摘要:
A variable ring count device in customer premises equipment is provided and includes a processor, a call related information detector/receiver in communication with a telephone line and a call related information directory in communication with the processor. The call related information directory associates pre-set call related information with a corresponding ring count. The processor is operable for an incoming call to compare call related information for the incoming call to the pre-set call related information in the call related information directory, and to determine a ring count for the incoming call based on a correlation between the call related information and the pre-set call related information in the call related information directory.
摘要:
The present invention relates to an application layer function outside the BLUETOOTH protocol which associates a BLUETOOTH unique address, i.e., the 48-bit unique BD_ADDR address, with a short passcode or PIN which is associated with a particular type of BLUETOOTH device in a particular piconet. The passcode or PIN can be pre-determined by the manufacturer of the BLUETOOTH device, or can be input and defined by the user. Upon installation in a piconet, in one embodiment shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a user can be asked to manually input a particular passcode or PIN into a relevant piconet device, and an inquiry can be broadcast to all communicating piconet devices and only those other piconet devices having a matching passcode or PIN associated therewith can automatically forward their respective 48-bit unique BD_ADDR addresses to the inquiring piconet device. Alternatively, a user can inquire and be provided with a list of available passcodes or PINs already established by other devices in the piconet, and select a particular passcode or PIN associated with one or more other piconet devices. The passcode or personal identification number (PIN) may be input upon electronic device setup (e.g., a four character code). The passcode or PIN may be numeric, text, or alphanumeric.