The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 1991
Filed:
Nov. 29, 1988
Tsutomu Nishino, Yokohama, US;
Osamu Hirata, Tokyo, US;
Shoji Suzuki, Atsugi, US;
Masaki Hara, Tokyo, US;
Shinji Tsuchida, Zama, US;
Minoru Ogata, Yokohama, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Disclosed is a communication system which accommodates at least one central office network line and a plurality of extensions, and which is adapted to control line connection between the central office network line and the plurality of extensions. When a call from the central office network line is detected, it is determined in response to the call whether a control signal characteristic of data communication, such as a CST signal, is being sent by the other party's device. If such a control signal is being sent, a line to which a data processor is connected is selected and connected to the calling line. This makes it possible to connect an information processor and a telephone to a common central office network line, and to connect a call answered by another telephone to a desired information processor rapidly through a simple operation. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to assign a special-purpose central office network line to an information processor. When the information processor is not in use, therefore, another telephone may employ the same line. This improves the efficiency of line utilization.