Patent ID: 6148213
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method for selectively screening calls in a cordless telephone having a base unit and a handset unit, wherein the base unit and handset each have a control unit coupled to a memory, a transmitter arranged for transmitting coded signals and voice signals, and a receiver arranged for receiving coded signals and voice signals, wherein a ring coded signal may be transmitted by the base unit to the handset to indicate receipt of a telephone call via a telephone line interconnected to the base unit, and wherein voice signals associated with the telephone call may be intercepted and recorded by a telephone answering device (TAD) coupled to the base unit, the method comprising the steps of:setting a loudspeaker flag in the memory in the handset unit by a handset unit user to indicate either an active or an inactive state;transmitting the ring coded signal by the base unit transmitter;detecting the ring coded signal in the handset unit to activate a handset ringer;determining whether the loudspeaker flag in the handset unit memory is set to an active state; andwhen the loudspeaker flag is set to an active state,coupling an amplifier and an auxiliary loudspeaker in the handset unit to the handset receiver;activating the handset receiver for monitoring TAD-intercepted voice signals transmitted by the base unit transmitter; andmonitoring at the handset unit the intercepted voice signals via the auxiliary loudspeaker.