Patent ID: 6272212
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A telephone intercept device interposed between a telephone company network and telecommunications equipment in a consumer unit, said telecommunications equipment sending at least one digit toward said telephone company network, said telephone intercept device comprising:a voltage regulator having a small quiescent current requirement and drawing a supply voltage from said telephone company network;an electrically-controlled switching circuit operably disposed between said telecommunications equipment and said telephone company network, said electrically-controlled switching circuit having an open and a closed position;a first circuit operably disposed between said telephone company network and said voltage regulator, said first circuit also being operably connected to said electrically-controllable switching circuit such that said first circuit operably connects said voltage regulator to said telephone company network upon said telecommunications equipment assuming an off-hook state while said electrically-controlled switching circuit is closed;a second circuit operably connected to said telephone company network, said second circuit mimicking an off-hook state;means for capturing each one of said at least one digit in sequence from said telecommunications equipment into a dialed digit word;memory containing at least one function word, each of said at least one function word having an associated telephone number; andcontrol means for (i) opening said electrically-controlled switching circuit, (ii) forcing said first circuit to operably connect said voltage regulator to said telephone company network, (iii) activating said second circuit, (iv) waiting for dial-tone from said telephone company network, (v) dialing out said associated telephone number after waiting for said dial tone; and (vi) closing said electrically-controlled switching circuit after dialing out said associated telephone number, said control means operating only when said dialed digit word corresponds to one of said at least one function word;said voltage regulator providing power to said capturing means, memory and control means.