Patent ID: 6195423
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A multi-line telephone switch device which automatically switches incoming calls on a plurality of incoming telephone lines to a plurality of connected telecommunication devices based upon predetermined incoming signals, said multi-line telephone switch device comprising:a) a multi-line telephone switch means;b) a telephone line inlet connection means for connecting said multi-line telephone switch means to a plurality of incoming telephone lines;c) a telecommunication device connection means for connecting one or more telecommunication devices to said multi-line telephone switch means;d) an electrical power means for providing power as needed for said multi-line telephone switch means;e) said multi-line telephone switch means includes a line switching means which senses the presence of an incoming telephone call upon each of said plurality of telecommunication lines and routes said incoming call to the appropriate connected telephone communication device; andf) said multi-line telephone switching means further includes a1) a ring detection means for determining upon which of said incoming telephone lines a ringing signal is present and providing an output signal indicative thereof;2) line selection means for selecting one of a plurality of incoming telephone lines for routing to one of a plurality of telecommunication devices;3) switching bypass means for automatically routing an incoming telephone call to a preselected device without first selecting the telephone line upon which said incoming telephone call is being sent;4) telephone line inverting means for inverting the priority of call processing upon two incoming telephone lines;5) a line monitoring means for monitoring an incoming telephone call upon a telephone line selected by said line selection means;6) a device selection means for selecting a particular device for connection to an incoming telephone line selected by said line selection means based upon signal detection by said line monitoring means;7) processing means for receiving input and programming instructions from said line monitoring means and ring detection means, and providing outputs to such devices as necessary for operation of said multi-line telephone switch;8) ringing means which upon initiation by said processing means generates ring signals to a telephone extension, and/or busy tones to the calling party; and9) off-hook detection means for determining when any one of a plurality of telecommunications devices are off-hook and providing an output indicative thereof.