Patent ID: 6310955
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An automatic offhook system for use in a telephone handset, comprising:an incoming call detector;a movement sensor for detecting a change in condition of the handset, the sensor comprising a tube, a series of electrical contacts placed along the tube, adjacent contacts being connected to differing voltages and a conductive ball positioned to roll along the tube during movement of the handset, the rolling of the ball providing an electrical connection between adjacent contacts resulting in a series of voltage changes caused by the connection of different ones of the adjacent contacts; anda controller responsive to the incoming call detector and the sensor, the controller being operative to set the handset to an offhook condition when the sensor detects a change in condition of the handset during a pendency of an incoming call detected by the incoming call detector, the controller being operative to receive information from the sensor indicating a degree of movement of the handset and to set the handset to an offhook condition if the degree of movement detected by the sensor reaches a predetermined threshold and to leave the handset in a non-offhook condition if the degree of movement does not reach the predetermined threshold.