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.

Date of Patent:
Dec. 14, 1999

Filed:

Feb. 02, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:

Leland Lester, Austin, TX (US);

David Iglehart, Austin, TX (US);

Elie Antoun Jreij, Austin, TX (US);

James Umstetter, Round Rock, TX (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H04M / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
379421 ; 379373 ;
Abstract

A telephone with a mute ringer function having an automatic disabling feature includes multiple call indicators including a ringer. A power output reducing device is connected to the ringer to reduce the ringer volume prior to a connection between the telephone and a remotely located telephone. A volume switch control unit is connected to the power output reducing device to reset the ringer volume to a level established prior to a volume reduction upon detecting either connectivity to the remotely located telephone or the termination of the connection. A selecting device selects an incoming call indicator prior to the connection to the remote telephone. A reverting device automatically reverts power to a previously selected incoming call indicator upon either establishing connectivity for the call or the termination of the call. In a preferred embodiment, the ringer power output reducing device and the ringer power output resetting device include a volume switch connected to the ringer.


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