Amtel Communications, Inc.

American Tel-a-Systems, Inc.

Amtelco

Other

American Tel-a-System, Inc.

William J Curtin, Iv

Stephen Soto

Steven Krueger

Stephen H Soto

Nora Curtin

Kevin Mark Beale

Thomas V Curtin

Wayne Paul Waldner

Kendall E Post

Paul N Henning

John Morley

William J Curtin, Ii

Charles W Mortell

Cedric Adams

Brian W Torvik

A communication system that is capable of collecting information from one or more users of the communication system includes one or more data collection mechanisms that are operated by a first entity. The mechanisms operate to collect at least a portion of information from a user of a communication system on behalf of a second entity that is different than the first entity. The system also includes one or more memory modules that are coupled to the one or more data collection mechanisms and that are operable to store one or more records on behalf of the second entity. Each of the one or more records comprises information that is associated with a client of the second entity. At least one of the one or more records comprises at least a portion of the information collected from the user of the communication system. In one particular embodiment, the one or more records are controlled by the first entity.

System and method for dynamically creating records

The invention is a system for encoding inputs and methods of operation thereof. The inventions includes a plurality of inputs each displaying a different numerical value with at least some of the plurality of inputs each also displaying at least one input letter and at least one additional input each displaying at least one input not representing a numerical value or letter, each of the plurality of inputs displaying an input numerical value when selected singularity producing a signal representing selection of the displayed numerical input value and each additional input when selected producing a signal representing the input selection of the displayed at least one input, different ones of the plurality of inputs displaying a numerical input value further being selected to input consonants and vowels with an input vowel being selected and inputted with one input displaying an input numerical value and another input displaying an input numerical value and the input vowel with an input consonant being selected with one input displaying an input numerical value and another input displaying an input numerical value and the selected input consonant and an input other than a numerical value or letter being selected with one input being one of the at least one additional inputs and another input which is one of the plurality of inputs; and an encoder, responsive to the plurality of inputs and to the at least one additional input, having an output for outputting encoded inputs including at least alphabetical and numerical characters with each selected numerical value being inputted to the encoder in response to selection of a single one of the plurality of inputs displaying a numerical value and all inputs, other than numerical values, being inputted to the encoder in response to the combined selection of inputs chosen from the plurality of inputs and the at least one additional input.

Data input device using combined numeric inputs to encode characters

A data entry apparatus includes a mosaic display as a template for inputting characters, by a stylus or other device. The displayed mosaic includes a plurality of segments, each represented by a tile area of the template. Inputted characters are recognized based on first and second tile areas contacted by the stylus or otherwise selected by an operator. The two tile areas may be the same or different, and may be the initial and final areas of the input operation. To enable character input by no more than two operations, hinge tile areas are provided, each representing selection of a plurality of standard tile areas. The system further recognizes input characters in response to a single input stroke, based on the initial and final tile areas thereof and, when the stroke is imprecisely inputted, by reference to directional characteristics thereof.

Compact data input device

An off-site remote telephone service system is connected in series with subscribers to the system and the associated central telephone office for providing to each of the subscribers additional telephone services. The telephone service system is connected in series between the subscribers and the main frame distribution mechanism of the central telephone office. In addition to the wires connecting the telephone service system in the series connection, the system also has at least one independent telephone line for placement of calls, which telephone line extends to the central office. All of these telephone lines are connected to a control switching mechanism of the telephone service system. The control switching mechanism includes a bridging mechanism for coupling a subscriber telephone line either to a continuation of the subscriber telephone line or to one of the independent telephone lines of the system for placement and receipt of calls for enabling normal service by the subscriber. The telephone service system further includes a special service mechanism acting as an intercept between the subscriber telephone and the central office for providing special services to the subscriber. Exemplary of such special services are access to special long distance telephone lines, telephone answering services, electronic mail services, word processing services, computer services and conference call services along with many other advanced services currently available.

Series connected telephone service system

A method and apparatus for entering data into a computer including an abbreviated keyboard wherein each key represents a plurality of characters. Depression of a key of the keyboard causes the generation and transmission of a first electronic signal to a computer. The computer receives the signal and according to a predetermined algorithm, generates a best guess of which one of the plurality of alphanumeric characters represented by the key and signal sent to the computer is desired to be ultimately entered into the computer. A second electronic signal is generated by the computer and transmitted to a display to cause the display to indicate the guess. By subsequent stroke or strokes of the keyboard, the guess is either selected if correct, or if incorrect changed until the correct alphanumeric character is guessed. The computer programmed with the algorithm for making the guesses may be remote to the keyboard or contain within the keyboard such as by the incorporation of an appropriate microchip. If remote, the computer may be the same computer to which data will be transferred or may be an associated apparatus. Such associated apparatus may include display means for displaying the guess. In one embodiment the keyboard and display means are integral with a telephone. A secondary display means is provided to show an accumulation of characters previously transmitted, or accumulated in buffer for subsequent transmission.

Computer data entry method and apparatus

A compact keyboard for entry of alphanumeric data or other characters into a computerized system. A character formation key on the keyboard is formed by a plurality of bars which are capable of being activated for providing light. These bars are arranged in a mosaic pattern with several of the bars forming an outer box pattern and several of the bars extending inside of the box pattern. Light is emitted from each bar when such bar is in an activated lit condition. Each of the bars is switchable between an activated lit condition and an off condition, with the activated bars emitting light so as to display an alphanumeric character. The keyboard has a data entry mechanism for causing the displayed alphanumeric character to be entered into a computerized system.

Compact keyboard system

A telephone answering system for use in conjunction with a PBX/CENTREX system for answering incoming calls directed to any of the extension lines within the system. The telephone answering system includes an operator control station and a line detection system. The line detection system monitors the telephone lines within the PBX/CENTREX system. This detection system includes a plurality of ring/hook interfaces each of which is connected in parallel across one of the telephone lines in the PBX/CENTREX system being monitored. Each of the interfaces has a ring detector for detecting a ring signal on the associated telephone line for providing a ring count when there is an incoming call and a hook detector for detecting the on/off hook condition on the associated telephone line. A coupling mechanism couples the ring detector and the hook detector to the operator control station for providing information to the operator control station indicative of the ring count and hook conditions of the telephone lines being monitored. The operator control station is coupled to the detector and provides a signal for causing the PBX/CENTREX system to carry out a directed call pick-up when the ring count on a monitored telephone line has exceeded a preselected limit without the incoming call being answered and for transferring such incoming call to said operator control station for answering by an operator.

Telephone answering system with line detector

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a PBX system and a telephone answering system is disclosed in which line scanners are used to detect the presence of ring signals on each of the extension lines within the PBX system and to determine when the number of such ring signals on a monitored line exceeds a predetermined limit. A computer coupled to each of the line scanners, upon determining that the predetermined limit has been exceeded, actuates automatic dialing circuitry, which is connected to both the PBX and telephone answering systems, to dial the PBX system and cause it to carry out a directed call pick-up of the incoming call. Simultaneously, the automatic dialing system dials the telephone answering system on a different telephone line. The computer then controls the automatic dialing circuitry to couple the incoming call to the telephone answering system without the incoming call having been answered.

Telephone line concentrator without switching matrix

An apparatus is disclosed for identifying who is placing a call to a telephone prior to answering. The apparatus, which is preferably located at the telephone central office, includes a switching matrix having a plurality of DID access lines coupling the switching matrix to the central telephone office. The switching matrix also has a plurality of input and output lines which are assigned to individual subscribers' telephones who desire to identify callers prior to answering. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, twenty DID access lines are used to couple the telephone central office to the switching matrix and one hundred subscription and input and output lines are used to couple the switching matrix to individual subscriber telephones. The switching matrix is coupled to a programmed microprocessor which controls the operation of the system including the generation of a digitally synthesized vocal announcement of at least the number being called. The vocal announcement is coupled to a subscriber's telephone which is receiving an incoming call on one of a plurality of numbers assigned to that subscriber for which the subscriber desires to identify the caller prior to answering. Preferably, each subscriber is given a block of five or ten assigned numbers which the subscriber gives to individuals or organizations from which the subscriber wishes to identify telephone calls prior to answering. The subscriber's knowledge of who was informed of each assigned number enables the vocal announcement of the number used for placing a call to serve as an identification of the caller.

Method and system for identifying telephone callers

A call screening system to be added onto and used with a PBX or Centrex telephone system having an attendant answering console. The call screening system enables incoming calls for various telephone extensions to be directed to another telephone extension in the system for screening such incoming calls. The call screening system includes a DTMF tone generator and a screening system. The DTMF tone generator is coupled to the attendant answering console for generating a first DTMF coded signal for enabling the attendant answering console to call a screening telephone extension within the telephone system and generating a second DTMF coded signal that provides an indication as to the particular telephone extension within the telephone system for the person that the incoming caller is calling. The screening system is coupled between a single tip/ring line from the PBX or Centrex and a tip/ring line to a screening telephone extension of a user screening incoming calls for other telephone extensions. The screening system receives a call from the attendant answering console when the associated screening telephone extension has been called by a generated first DTMF coded signal for such screening telephone extension, receives a generated second DTMF coded signal generated by said DTMF tone generator for indicating which of the telephone extensions being screened the call is for and generates an indication signal indicating which telephone extension the call is for. After receiving such second DTMF coded signal, the screening system couples the screening telephone extension to the tip/ring line from the PBX or Centrex system for establishing a voice path connection.

Call screening system

The series connected interceptor is a control system for assisting in providing improved service operations for a PBX system. This control system is connected in series in a DID trunk between a TELCO central office and a PBX. By the nature of where it is connected and its function, the control system enables a telephone answering service to sense when an incoming DID call has rung on an extension for a predefined number of rings and to answer such call with the identity of the extension being called. The control system also can provide incoming DID call screening or call forwarding.

Series connected interceptor

A control system for enabling direct inward dialed telephone calls received on a single access line from a telephone central office to be answered with identity. The single access line is coupled at the telephone central office to a block of telephone numbers, and incoming calls to any of these numbers are connected to the access line and to an operator at a telephone answering location through the control system, and the number called is decoded by the control system. A DID line ('DID' stands for direct inward dial) on the interface is arranged in the input section of the control system and is coupled to the single access line that receives the telephone calls from the telephone central office. At least the last digit of the telephone number is decoded within the control system and a visual display of the decoded number is then provided for identifying the incoming call. The control system includes an operator interface for enabling an operator at the site of the telephone answering system to be plugged into the control system for being coupled to the incoming calls being transferred along the single access line. A microprocessor controls the operation of the control system.

Control system for handling direct inward dialed telephone calls

The telephone answering system includes a call concentrator capable of coupling a plurality of subscriber telephone lines to a single answering station. The concentrator is coupled to the plurality of subscriber lines and transfers calls to such lines one at a time through a single talk path that is connected to the answering station. In addition, over the same single talk path all identification information and communication between the operator and the concentrator is transmitted. Prior to transferring calls from the subscriber lines to the answering station audible identification information is provided to the operator at the answering station. The operator can selectively choose to receive only the identification signal or the identification signal immediately followed by the call to the subscriber line. If a call to one of the subscriber lines is already coupled to the answering station then additional incoming calls are placed on hold and subsequently transferred one at a time to the answering station. The remote hold device will answer such additional incoming calls with a preprogramed message and then place the call on hold until the line to the answering station is free to receive the next call. Upon command from the operator, the next awaiting call will be coupled through the single talk line to the answering station.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

William J Curtin, Iv