Wireless telephone ring detection method for extended battery life

Abstract

A cordless telephone apparatus and method of use thereof with a telephone system providing a ring cadence as a series of alternating ring and silence periods over a telephone line. The cordless telephone comprises a handset that is configured and arranged to operate in a low power mode during periods of inactivity on the telephone line and, in response to receiving a least one ring message, in a normal power mode in which the battery-powered handset acknowledges receipt of the ring message. The cordless telephone further comprises a base unit is configured and arranged to respond to a ring signal received over the telephone line by sending the ring message to the battery-powered handset through the end of each ring period, and for a portion of the subsequent silent period, until the handset reverts to the normal power mode and acknowledges receipt of the ring message. Accordingly, as soon as the handset acknowledges receipt of the ring message, the base unit can cease sending of the ring message if the ring period has ended. This method of operation for the cordless telephone provides extended battery life for a cordless telephone operation by permitting the handset to operate in a low-power, standby mode for greater periods of time through the use of a particular method of ring detection.