Dennis J Mccarthy

US Patent:

60412402, Mar 21, 2000

Filed:

Mar 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/814622

Inventors:

Dennis Ronald McCarthy - Syracuse NY
John Mark Fossaceca - Baldwinville NY
Maneck Behram Kapadia - Liverpool NY

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04Q 732

US Classification:

455464

Abstract:

A radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter/receiver system comprises a pair of transmitter/receiver units. A microcomputer-based RF carrier detect system determines when an RF signal is present or absent. The RF carrier detect system is also responsive to noise interference signals at or near its currently-tuned receiving channel. In periods of inactivity, the RF signal receiver monitors its currently-tuned channel and upon detection of noise interference or upon a determination that the currently-tuned channel is occupied, initiates a fast scan operation to identify an unoccupied and relatively interference-free channel, and transmits a command to its paired transmitter/receiver unit causing it to tune to the newly-identified unoccupied channel.

US Patent:

61410586, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Dec 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/798049

Inventors:

William Adamson Lagoni - Indianapolis IN
Robert Lawrence O'Brien - Indianapolis IN
Dennis Ronald McCarthy - Syracuse NY

Assignee:

Thomson Licensing S.A. - Boulogne

International Classification:

H04N 5445

US Classification:

348563

Abstract:

A television receiver includes telephone network interface circuitry which allows the receiver to receive and process Caller-ID signals for display during the ringing period of the telephone set. The television receiver also includes circuitry which allows a list of priority callers to be entered. In this way, the incoming Caller-ID codes are compared to the telephone numbers of the priority callers. Upon detection, the Caller-ID information of a priority caller is displayed on screen during television viewing. The telephone numbers of those callers not listed as priority callers are not displayed during the ringing period of the telephone. Both displayed and non-displayed telephone numbers which correspond to unanswered telephone calls are stored in a Caller-ID list for display at the user's convenience. In this way, the user is able to enter data to select beforehand which calling telephone numbers are permitted to interrupt his or her television show by displaying Caller-ID information on the screen.

US Patent:

58647503, Jan 26, 1999

Filed:

Oct 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/998938

Inventors:

John Mark Fossaceca - Baldwinville NY
Dennis Ronald McCarthy - Syracuse NY

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04Q 732

US Classification:

455144

Abstract:

A microcomputer in a radio frequency (RF) signal receiver, such as a cordless telephone set, periodically samples a received baseband audio signal to determine its frequency content. The microcomputer uses at least one predetermined frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is present if the output signal contains signals no higher in frequency the frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is absent if the output signal contains signals higher in frequency than the frequency threshold value. The circuit is useful in either a base unit or a handunit of a cordless telephone set.

US Patent:

53735480, Dec 13, 1994

Filed:

Apr 8, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/225368

Inventors:

Dennis R. McCarthy - Syracuse NY

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04M 1100
H04Q 700
H04B 1700

US Classification:

379 63

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a cordless telephone unit having a handset and a base unit. The signal strength of a handset which is received by the base unit is examined to determine whether or not the handset is beyond a predetermined range from the base unit. If such determination of out-of-range is made, a warning signal is transmitted from the base unit to the handset and if the handset is not brought within range within a predetermined number of warning signals, a hang up is initiated wherein the handset is placed in an "on" hook condition and the captured telephone line is released.

US Patent:

54286697, Jun 27, 1995

Filed:

Jun 10, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/074687

Inventors:

Dennis R. McCarthy - Syracuse NY

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04M 1100

US Classification:

379 61

Abstract:

In a cordless telephone set, a single RF communications channel selection switch, which may be mounted on either of the base unit and handset unit, selects the frequency for the unit to which it is mounted. The other unit of the base unit and handset unit selects alternate frequencies in response to a series of unacknowledged communications, until it receives an acknowledgement on a particular channel. After receiving an acknowledgement, an indication of the current RF communications channel is stored in memory. If no acknowledgement is received after trying all channels, then the original RF communications channel is selected.

US Patent:

52436462, Sep 7, 1993

Filed:

Jan 4, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/637017

Inventors:

Dennis R. McCarthy - Syracuse NY

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04M 1272

US Classification:

379356

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a telephone unit having a redial capability wherein if the number called is busy and a redialing is desirable, a determination is made as to whether a dialing operation has taken place since the telephone was placed in an "off" hook status. If no dialing operation has taken place, then the telephone will dial the desired redial number which is the last dialed telephone number. If the determination is that a dialing operation has taken place since the phone was placed in an "off" hook status, then an operation is initiated upon initiating the redial order command where the telephone is electronically placed in an "on" hook status in order to release the telephone line of the telephone network, and then is reestablished in an "off" hook status for capturing a line of the telephone network. Upon capturing a line of the telephone network, the redial system redials the desired telephone number.