CA2331221A1 - Telephone for a plurality of simultaneous conversations - Google Patents
Telephone for a plurality of simultaneous conversations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2331221A1 CA2331221A1 CA002331221A CA2331221A CA2331221A1 CA 2331221 A1 CA2331221 A1 CA 2331221A1 CA 002331221 A CA002331221 A CA 002331221A CA 2331221 A CA2331221 A CA 2331221A CA 2331221 A1 CA2331221 A1 CA 2331221A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- base
- handsets
- telephone
- handset
- specific
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/71—Substation extension arrangements
- H04M1/715—Substation extension arrangements using two or more extensions per line
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/253—Telephone sets using digital voice transmission
- H04M1/2535—Telephone sets using digital voice transmission adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network
Abstract
A system for receiving a plurality of telephone calls on a single base of a telephone set while allowing access to all of the calls simultaneously with each call being answered by a separate handset dedicated to a specific individual call. The system includes a plurality of handsets and indicators with each handset having its own indicator for indicating an incoming call.
Description
TELEPHONE FOR A PLURALITY OF
SIMULTANEOUS CONVERSATIONS
The present invention relates to a telephone system and method for permitting a plurality of conversations and more particularly, the present invention relates to a telephone having a plurality of handsets each for receiving a distinct call.
Generally, multiple line telephones have a series of discrete lines which are accessible on a one at a time basis with one handset. Accordingly, several users may have access to the same phone and thus use the same handset. For incoming calls the existing products permit one phone number or several different phone numbers on a given telephone set, but in all cases only one of the lines is accessible at any time, since one handset is connected to the telephone set base. This arrangement does not facilitate access to any one of the different lines simultaneously as another is selected.
Accordingly, the existing sets, regardless of the number of lines, cannot allow many users simultaneously to each access a specific line on the same telephone set.
The present invention addresses this limitation in the art and provides a device capable of overcoming the shortcomings in the art.
In accordance with one object of the present invention, there is provided a telephone set for handling a plurality of conversations simultaneously, comprising:
a single base having an Internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an Internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with the base for receiving a specific information packet from the base; and indication means for indicating which handset of the handsets is active.
SIMULTANEOUS CONVERSATIONS
The present invention relates to a telephone system and method for permitting a plurality of conversations and more particularly, the present invention relates to a telephone having a plurality of handsets each for receiving a distinct call.
Generally, multiple line telephones have a series of discrete lines which are accessible on a one at a time basis with one handset. Accordingly, several users may have access to the same phone and thus use the same handset. For incoming calls the existing products permit one phone number or several different phone numbers on a given telephone set, but in all cases only one of the lines is accessible at any time, since one handset is connected to the telephone set base. This arrangement does not facilitate access to any one of the different lines simultaneously as another is selected.
Accordingly, the existing sets, regardless of the number of lines, cannot allow many users simultaneously to each access a specific line on the same telephone set.
The present invention addresses this limitation in the art and provides a device capable of overcoming the shortcomings in the art.
In accordance with one object of the present invention, there is provided a telephone set for handling a plurality of conversations simultaneously, comprising:
a single base having an Internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an Internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with the base for receiving a specific information packet from the base; and indication means for indicating which handset of the handsets is active.
The indication means may comprise any visual, audible or combination of these indicators. As a further possibility, the indicator may comprise a telephone set mounted and remote device having a vibration function wearable by a user to avoid confusion. several lights or rings during times when such interruptions would not be appropriate. This variation would simply alert the user to a call which could be responded to at a later time.
It will be evident that the individual handsets may be cordless and simply use the base as a main charge cradle/base station.
The invention takes advantage of the digitized packeting of the data on a LAN with the telephone set base providing many connections to a network interface. Such interfaces are well known in the art and therefore will not be elaborated upon here.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a communications system for handling a plurality of conversations simultaneously, comprising:
a local area network;
a single telephone base having an Internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an Internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with the base for receiving a specific information packet from the base; and indication means for indicating which handset of the handsets is active.
A connection member may optionally be provided for connecting the telephone base to a computer.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments and, in which:
It will be evident that the individual handsets may be cordless and simply use the base as a main charge cradle/base station.
The invention takes advantage of the digitized packeting of the data on a LAN with the telephone set base providing many connections to a network interface. Such interfaces are well known in the art and therefore will not be elaborated upon here.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a communications system for handling a plurality of conversations simultaneously, comprising:
a local area network;
a single telephone base having an Internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an Internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with the base for receiving a specific information packet from the base; and indication means for indicating which handset of the handsets is active.
A connection member may optionally be provided for connecting the telephone base to a computer.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments and, in which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system configuration: and Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
Similar numerals employed in the text denote similar elements.
Referring to Figure 1, shown is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. The telephone set, broadly denoted by numeral 10, includes a connection port 12 for connection to a computer (not shown) and a serial or parallel interface 14 in turn connected to a microcontroller 16. The controller 16 connects a dial pad 18, visual indicators 20 and an optional display 22 in a known manner.
A network interface 24 is connected to controller 16 as are a plurality of handset interfaces 26. Interface 24 may be connected to a LAN in a known manner at connection site 28. The handset interfaces 26 include the conventional earpiece 30 and microphone ports 32. A speakerphone circuit having a microphone 34, interface 36 and speaker 38 are associated features of the set 10. A conventional power supply 40 completes the set 10.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, by providing a series of handset interfaces 26 in the set 10, the single base 42 illustrated in Figure 2 may then permit several calls to be simultaneously processed each with its own handset 44 and specific indicator 46, shown in the example as lights.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
Similar numerals employed in the text denote similar elements.
Referring to Figure 1, shown is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. The telephone set, broadly denoted by numeral 10, includes a connection port 12 for connection to a computer (not shown) and a serial or parallel interface 14 in turn connected to a microcontroller 16. The controller 16 connects a dial pad 18, visual indicators 20 and an optional display 22 in a known manner.
A network interface 24 is connected to controller 16 as are a plurality of handset interfaces 26. Interface 24 may be connected to a LAN in a known manner at connection site 28. The handset interfaces 26 include the conventional earpiece 30 and microphone ports 32. A speakerphone circuit having a microphone 34, interface 36 and speaker 38 are associated features of the set 10. A conventional power supply 40 completes the set 10.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, by providing a series of handset interfaces 26 in the set 10, the single base 42 illustrated in Figure 2 may then permit several calls to be simultaneously processed each with its own handset 44 and specific indicator 46, shown in the example as lights.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
Claims (7)
1. A telephone set for handling a plurality of conversations simultaneously, comprising:
a single base having an internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with said base for receiving a specific information packet from said base; and indication means for indicating which handset of said handsets is active.
a single base having an internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with said base for receiving a specific information packet from said base; and indication means for indicating which handset of said handsets is active.
2. The telephone set as set forth in claim 1, wherein said indication means comprises a plurality of different sounds, a specific sound associated with a specific handset.
3. The telephone set as set forth in claim 1, wherein said indication means comprises a visual indication of which of said handsets is active.
4. A communications system for handling a plurality of conversations simultaneously, comprising:
a local area network;
a single telephone base having an internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with said base for receiving a specific information packet from said base; and indication means for indicating which handset of said handsets is active.
a local area network;
a single telephone base having an internet protocol network interface adapted for connection with an internet protocol network for isolating a digitized information packet associated with a specific conversation;
a plurality of handsets connected with said base for receiving a specific information packet from said base; and indication means for indicating which handset of said handsets is active.
5 5. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said indication means comprises a plurality of different sounds, a specific sound associated with a specific handset.
6. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said indication means comprises a visual indication of which of said handsets is active.
7. The system as set forth in claim 4, further including connection means for connecting said telephone base to a computer.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0001957A GB2358763A (en) | 2000-01-29 | 2000-01-29 | Multi-user IP telephone set |
| GB0001957.0 | 2000-01-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2331221A1 true CA2331221A1 (en) | 2001-07-29 |
Family
ID=9884507
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002331221A Abandoned CA2331221A1 (en) | 2000-01-29 | 2001-01-12 | Telephone for a plurality of simultaneous conversations |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20010010718A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2331221A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2358763A (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7668149B2 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2010-02-23 | Research In Motion Limited | Methods and apparatus for facilitating concurrent push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) group communication sessions |
| US20070004438A1 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2007-01-04 | Alec Brusilovsky | Method and apparatus enabling PTT (push-to-talk) communications between legacy PSTN, cellular and wireless 3G terminals |
| DE102006033295A1 (en) * | 2006-07-17 | 2008-01-24 | Ms Neumann Elektronik Gmbh | Decentralized, IP-based communication system with analog WL intercom stations |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4107477A (en) * | 1977-03-09 | 1978-08-15 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Multi-subscriber telephone apparatus |
| US5182768A (en) * | 1991-10-21 | 1993-01-26 | Nitsuko Corporation | Digital telephone set capable of being simultaneously used by a plurality of persons by using one transmission line |
| US5784456A (en) * | 1995-06-29 | 1998-07-21 | Cyracom International, Inc. | Single-line multi-handset telephone |
| WO1998011704A2 (en) * | 1996-09-12 | 1998-03-19 | Dialnet, Inc. | Dedicated system and process for distributed communication on a packet-switched network |
| US6421350B1 (en) * | 1997-09-30 | 2002-07-16 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Device and method for controlling the quality-of service in data networks |
| GB2338863B (en) * | 1998-06-27 | 2004-01-21 | Michael Victor Rodrigues | Dedicated automatic internet telephone |
-
2000
- 2000-01-29 GB GB0001957A patent/GB2358763A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2001
- 2001-01-12 CA CA002331221A patent/CA2331221A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-01-19 US US09/764,458 patent/US20010010718A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0001957D0 (en) | 2000-03-22 |
| US20010010718A1 (en) | 2001-08-02 |
| GB2358763A (en) | 2001-08-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |