Daniel L Henderson

US Patent:

6724867, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Oct 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/412250

Inventors:

Daniel A. Henderson - Weatherford TX 76087

International Classification:

H04M 164

US Classification:

379 8822, 379 671, 379 68, 379 82, 379 8812, 379 8818, 379 8825

Abstract:

The system comprises an off-premises voice or fax mail system and an on-premises CPE device that can periodically interrogate the telephone line to monitor for signals indicating that a voice or fax message has been received at the off-premises message system. The on-premises CPE device contains, or is connectable to, an incoming message storage means, an automatic dialing means, a message counter means, and a means for establishing an off-hook/on-hook condition with the telephone line. When a call comes in while the telephone line is busy, the call is directed to an off-premises message center where a message is stored. Then, the central office of the telephone network generates a special signal such as a stutter dial tone to be transmitted to the called party location upon the next off-hook condition after the previous call has been completed. Upon detection of a special signal generated on the telephone line that indicates a message has been received, the CPE device automatically establishes communication with the message system, and retrieves the message for storage and later review by the called party at the CPE device. If the called party happens to go off-hook during this automatic operation, the called party can monitor the message received while recording the message or can listen to the message and stop recording/transfer of the message while the CPE device is returned to a standby condition.

US Patent:

6980633, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Jan 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/047677

Inventors:

Daniel A. Henderson - Hudson Oaks TX, US

International Classification:

H04M001/56
H04M003/42

US Classification:

37914208, 37921501

Abstract:

An enhanced telephony call waiting feature and apparatus is provided wherein identifying information related to a third party wishing to converse with a first party already communicating with a second party is provided to the first party during a mute condition in a manner that minimizes the time period of the mute condition. The method is fully compatible with existing services while allowing for new services. The method comprises the steps of the local switching office sending a call waiting tone having predetermined characteristics to the first party and its apparatus responding thereto by generating an acknowledgment signal. The apparatus then initiates a mute condition simultaneous with the ACK signal generation, or in response to detection of a carrier signal, or at some other time after exchange of the call waiting tone and/or the acknowledgment signal has occurred. Various methods are disclosed which initiate and terminate the mute condition in the apparatus of the first and second party to allow for the receipt, storage, and display of caller identifying data while minimizing the period of time the first and second party are muted from communicating. The first party may either accept or reject the waiting call in the conventional manner as based on the third party identifying information.