Abstract:
A method and system for automatically changing the operation of signaling features in a telephone are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a first handset of a telephone system, quiet mode settings that specify a start time and an end time for a quiet mode signaling feature; wirelessly transmitting, from the first handset of the telephone system to a second handset of the telephone system, the quiet mode settings that specify the start time and the end time for the quiet mode signaling feature; and updating quiet mode settings for the quiet mode signaling feature in the second handset in response to receiving quiet mode settings from the first handset, and wherein the first handset and the second handset of the telephone system self-check the status of their quiet mode settings.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/164,806, filed Jun. 30, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,137,351, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/771,307, filed Feb. 5, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,397,908, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to telephone systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for automatically adjusting the level of signals (e.g., telephone ringer, voice announce device, keypad tone, or answering machine) associated with a telephone system in accordance with a preset time period. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    The typical noise levels associated with a home environment vary significantly over the course of a day, as well as between weekdays and weekends. In a typical household, the pattern of noise variation may be quite regular. During daytime hours, many sources, including children at play, television programs, road traffic, appliance operation, and background music, contribute to a high level of noise. During the day, a high volume for a telephone ringer or answering machine is appropriate, in order to ensure that an occupant is alerted to an incoming call or a message. At night, ambient noise is significantly reduced, and sounds associated with the telephone become increasingly obtrusive to the occupants, especially during sleep hours. 
         [0005]    In order to minimize the disturbance associated with nighttime calls, some users resort to changing the ringer volume every evening and morning. However, users may often forget to adjust the ringer in the morning, leading, for instance, to missed telephone calls during the day. In addition, most households have more than one telephone, typically several, each of which typically has its own dedicated ringer volume control. In order to minimize noise at night a user might have to travel throughout a house adjusting each of many phones. In addition to a ringer, many telephone systems have other features which alert a user by emitting sound or other signals, including call-screening features, voice announce features, answering machines, and error tones associated with a keypad. Manually disabling and enabling all such signaling devices and machines (hereafter referred to as “signaling features”) on a daily basis for several telephones would be extremely cumbersome. 
         [0006]    In light of the foregoing discussion it will be appreciated that a need exists for a more convenient method to automatically adjust the sound levels associated with a telephone system, to accommodate a user&#39;s lifestyle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure relates to controlling a telephone system. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a method and device for automatically changing the output of one or more signaling features associated with the telephone system during daily operation. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a first handset of a telephone system, quiet mode settings that specify a start time and an end time for a quiet mode signaling feature; wirelessly transmitting, from the first handset of the telephone system to a second handset of the telephone system, the quiet mode settings that specify the start time and the end time for the quiet mode signaling feature; and updating quiet mode settings for the quiet mode signaling feature in the second handset in response to receiving quiet mode settings from the first handset, and wherein the first handset and the second handset of the telephone system self-check the status of their quiet mode settings. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a system includes telephone system, including: a first telephone and a second telephone using a common telephone number. The first telephone includes: a user interface configured to receive quiet mode settings that specify a start time and an end time for a quiet mode, and receive a request to transmit the quiet mode settings to the second telephone; and a communication interface configured to wirelessly transmit the quiet mode settings in a single transmission to the second telephone in response to the received request. The second telephone includes: a receiver configured to receive the quiet mode settings from the first telephone; and a clock configured to trigger and terminate the quiet mode based on the received quiet mode settings in the single transmission. The first handset and the second handset of the telephone system self-check the status of their quiet mode settings. 
         [0010]    In one still embodiment, a method includes: receiving, with a first telephone of a telephone system, input that requests quiet mode settings to be wirelessly transmitted to a second telephone of the telephone system; wirelessly transmitting, from the first telephone to the second telephone, first quiet mode settings for a first signaling feature of a second telephone, and second quiet mode settings for a second signaling feature of the second telephone in response to said receiving input; in response to receiving the first quiet mode settings, configuring the first signaling feature of the second telephone per the first quiet mode settings; and in response to receiving the second quiet mode settings, configuring the second signaling feature of the second telephone per the second quiet mode settings, wherein the first handset and the second handset of the telephone system self-check the status of their quiet mode settings. 
         [0011]    In yet another embodiment, a method for enabling automatic control of operation of signaling features is disclosed. A user selects from a programmable menu in a machine associated with the telephone system, a start time corresponding to the time at which the user desires for the telephone system to enter a “quiet mode”, that is, the time at which the desired signaling features are to be disabled or lowered in intensity. A user further selects from the menu an end time of quiet mode operation, corresponding to the time of day at which the telephone system is to resume “regular mode” operation with the intensity of all signaling devices at a higher, “normal”, level. In addition, the user selects from among a plurality of signaling features, the feature(s) whose signaling function is to be turned off or lowered in intensity during the period of quiet mode operation. Finally, user activates the telephone system for quiet mode operation, so that the signaling intensity of the desired signaling features is automatically lowered upon arrival of the start time. For example, if a “quiet night” is set to begin at 9:00 pm, the telephone ringer and voice alert could be automatically programmed to become silent each evening at 9:00 o&#39;clock. At the end time, for example, 8:00 am, the ringer and voice alert would be restored to their full volume. 
         [0012]    An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a telephone system programmable to automatically switch between operation in a regular mode and quiet mode according to the time of day. The telephone system may be associated with one or more telephone numbers. The telephone system includes necessarily at least one signaling device and preferably a plurality of signaling devices. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of machines and devices, which may include, but is not limited to, telephones, answering machines, voice announce machines, speaker phones, and cordless handsets. An individual machine such as a telephone handset or base station may further comprise more than one signaling device, including a ringer, keypad tone, error tone, visible light flasher, or vibrating device. Preferably, each telephone handset and base station contains a memory that is used to store information and instructions, as well as a processor and a controller chip used to execute stored instructions. Preferably, each handset and base station further contains a user interface and display through which data and instructions, such as parameters associated with quiet mode operation, can be entered, deleted, or modified. Preferably, the telephone system includes an internal clock, which triggers the telephone system to enter or exit from quiet mode operation. In one embodiment, a plurality of devices, including each telephone handset, voice announce device, and answering machine can communicate with each other to exchange data, including, but not limited to time and status information. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for establishing quiet mode operation in a plurality of machines and devices associated with a telephone system, by sending instructions from a single device. This allows a user, for example to program many devices within the phone system with a common set of quiet mode operating instructions, without having to enter the instructions individually within each device that the user wishes to program. In one embodiment, a user enters a set of quiet mode program instructions in a programmable menu of a first device that is capable of distributing information. For example, a user may program quiet mode on a first device and subsequently select other devices within the telephone system to which the quiet mode settings shall be applied. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, a user first programs quiet mode operation on a base station. The user then prompts the base station to forward the quiet night settings to each cordless handset by Radio Frequency (RF) transmission. Each handset, in turn, may be configured to adopt (as a default setting) or ignore the quiet night settings transmitted from the base station. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, after a user programs quiet mode on the base station, whenever the base station detects a mode change (e.g. become silent or restore full volume) the base forwards the new settings to the handsets. 
         [0016]    In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, a user programs quiet mode operation directly through an interface located on a handset. The latter embodiment provides the ability to tailor quiet mode settings for each individual handset located in a home. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a depiction of a quiet mode telephone system according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a depiction of a program for setting quiet mode operation according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method for enabling quiet mode operation of a telephone system according to another embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates the operation of a telephone system according to one embodiment 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a method for controlling specific features of a telephone system during quiet mode operation of a telephone system according to another embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a depiction of a program for setting the operation of telephone system features according to one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates details of a telephone system operation according to another embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates a method for varying the operation of a specific signaling feature among a plurality of telephones, according to another embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a depiction of a program for the setting of quiet mode operation in a plurality of telephones according to one embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates a method for enabling the setting of quiet mode operation in a plurality of telephones according to one embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  illustrates details of a telephone system operation according to still another embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  depicts a program for the setting of quiet mode weekend operation according to a further embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  illustrates a method for enabling the setting of weekend quiet mode operation according to a further embodiment 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  depicts a program for the setting of quiet mode weekend operation according to a still further embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  illustrates a program for automatic checking of current quiet mode settings according to an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Before one or more embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and the arrangement of steps set forth in the following detailed description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. For instance, although embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards the operation of devices associated with a phone system, embodiments of the present disclosure associated with other signaling devices in a home, such as doorbells, and intercoms are anticipated. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0033]    Embodiments relate to a system and method for automatically switching a device into and out of a quiet mode operation, preferably at regular intervals. In one embodiment, a telephone system is provided with a user-programmable menu, including choices related to the operation of signaling features associated with the telephone system. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates telephone system  100 , including base station  110  and handsets  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  located in different rooms in a house. In one embodiment, telephones  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 , as well as base station  110 , each preferably contains a keypad  130  for entering instructions to program operation of the telephone system  100 , as well as to dial telephone numbers. Also included in each telephone handset and base station, as illustrated for telephone  120 , is a screen  132  for displaying and viewing information, and a memory  133  to store programs and information related to quiet mode operation. Processor  134  and clock  136  are also located within each telephone and base station. Preferably, a set of solid state time-keeping circuits that keep time for clock  136  are in electrical communication with processor  134 . Preferably, although not necessarily, the “face” of the clock may be displayed within screen  132 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment, each handset and base station further includes a communication chip  140  and receiver  142 , for transmitting information between telephone system devices. Preferably, system  100  includes a menu-driven program for controlling operation of signaling devices associated with system  100 . The program can be stored in one or more of handsets  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126  and base station  110 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment for programming the quiet mode operation for handset  120 . After selecting handset  120 , the user chooses QUIET MODE PROGRAM from menu  1  in screen  132 . The user is then provided with a general menu  2  containing choices related to quiet mode operation. General menu  2  offers the user a set of options, including, for example, ENABLE/DISABLE, a SET TIME option, and other options related to signaling devices associated with the telephone system. 
         [0036]    Selection of SET TIME option in menu  2 , prompts menu  6  to appear. Menu  6  includes the options SET EVENING and SET MORNING, whose selection leads the user into menus,  8  and  10 , respectively. 
         [0037]    Menu  8  provides for the user to select the time at which telephone handset  120  is to enter quiet mode operation. 
         [0038]    Menu  10  provides for selection of the time for terminating quiet mode operation. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment that provides a method to program a quiet mode operation in handset  120 . In step  300 , a user selects QUIET MODE PROGRAM in menu  1 . This causes the main quiet mode program menu  2  to open. 
         [0040]    In step  302 , a user selects the SET TIME option in menu  2 , which causes menu  6  to appear. 
         [0041]    In step  304 , the user selects the first item in menu  6 , SET EVENING, which then causes menu  8  to appear. If the user desires to reduce the telephone system noise each evening at 9 o&#39;clock, the user might then enter 9:00 pm, as illustrated in step  306 . 
         [0042]    Using one of two routes, the user may enter the “Morning starts” menu  10  in step  308 . In a first method, the user simply selects NEXT in menu  8 . Alternatively, the user may exit menu  8  by selecting OK, in which case, menu  6  reappears. The user then selects the MORNING STARTS feature in menu  6  to enter menu  10 . 
         [0043]    In step  310 , the user enters 8:00 am and OK, which causes a return to menu  6 . In step  312  the user returns to general menu  2  by choosing the OK selection in menu  6 . 
         [0044]    Having chosen the period for quiet mode operation, the user may then proceed to modify parameters associated with a signaling device whose noise level is to be lowered during the quiet mode period. In one embodiment, in step  314 , the user chooses RINGER VOLUME selection in menu  2 , which causes menu  12 , with the heading RINGER VOLUME, to open. The user may then enter the appropriate volume desired for the ringer during the evening and overnight period, by selecting up or down options in menu  12 . 
         [0045]    In step  316 , the user selects a volume of “1” (assuming “1” is a lower level tone and “0” is mute) and enters OK, which prompts a return to general menu  2 . 
         [0046]    In step  318 , the user chooses ENABLE/DISABLE selection and is brought to “enable quiet night” menu  4 . 
         [0047]    In step  320 , the user then selects ON which sets a flag to enable quiet mode operation when the flag is tripped. The user then selects OK, and is returned to menu  2 . 
         [0048]    In step  322 , the further OK selection then effects an exit of the quiet mode general menu  2 , and sets the flag to enable the telephone system to enter into quiet mode operation at the preset time. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  provides an flowchart illustrating the operation of a telephone system according to one embodiment. In step  400 , the user selects a handset or base station of telephone system  100  to program. 
         [0050]    In step  402 , the user enters the quiet mode program menu and enters instructions according to steps  300 - 322  above, for example. After completing programming of the quiet mode operation, the user exits form menu  2 . 
         [0051]    If the user exits the program during the daytime, in step  404  the telephone system assumes “regular” operation with the signaling features operating at normal settings. However, in step  406 , after the user exits from programming the system, a signal is sent to the telephone system when the start time for quiet mode operation arrives. 
         [0052]    In step  408 , if the user previously programmed the system to enable quiet mode operation, the signal sent to the telephone system trips a flag to initiate the beginning of quiet mode operation. 
         [0053]    Thus, in step  410 , following the example of  FIG. 3 , at 9:00 pm the system enters quiet mode operation and telephone ringer volume automatically reduces to “1”. 
         [0054]    Subsequently, at 8:00 am the following day, a signal is sent to the phone system  100 , which trips a flag to disable the quiet mode operation. In step  412 , the quiet mode operation ends and the ringer volume is returned to a default value or to the stored daytime value. Without further intervention, the system status returns to step  404 . 
         [0055]    The present disclosure also provides for automatic disabling or quieting of additional signaling features commonly associated with telephone systems. These include, but are not limited to, voice announce features, keypad tone, error tone, out of range signal, speaker telephone and answering machines. In addition, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, that a signaling feature may encompass a device that generates an auditory sound, a vibrating device, or a light emitting device. 
         [0056]    In another embodiment, disclosed in  FIG. 5 , initially steps similar to  300 - 316  disclosed in  FIG. 3  are performed. In step  500 , the user selects KEYPAD TONE, which prompts menu  14  to appear, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0057]    In step  502 , the user selects OFF and OK, and is returned to general menu  2 . 
         [0058]    Following a procedure similar to step  500 , in step  504  the user selects ERROR TONE, which displays menu  16 . 
         [0059]    In step  506 , in menu  16 , with a heading of “Error Tone”, the user selects OFF. After subsequently selecting OK, the user is returned to general menu  2 . 
         [0060]    In step  508 , the user selects the VOICE ANNOUNCE choice in menu  2 . This causes menu  18  to appear. 
         [0061]    If the user desires to have the “voice announce” feature disabled during quiet mode operation, the user selects OFF in step  510  and is returned to general menu  2 . 
         [0062]    In step  512 , the user selects ENABLE/DISABLE which brings up menu  4 . 
         [0063]    If the user desires that the telephone system be subsequently enabled for quiet mode operation after program exit, in step  514  the user selects ON, followed by OK, which returns the user to quiet mode general menu  2 . 
         [0064]    Subsequently, the user may exit quiet mode programming, as illustrated in step  516 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 7  discloses details of quiet mode telephone operation according to one embodiment. In step  700 , processor  134  receives a signal that quiet mode operation is enabled. 
         [0066]    In step  702 , processor  134  retrieves from memory  133 , the “evening starts” and “morning starts” settings programmed in steps  306  and  310 , respectively. 
         [0067]    In step  704 , processor  134  then sets a flag to start quiet mode operation when a signal is received that 9:00 pm has arrived. Another flag is set to end quiet mode operation when a signal is received that 8:00 am has arrived. 
         [0068]    In step  706 , clock  136  sends a signal to processor  134  indicating the arrival of 9:00 pm, causing the preset flag to trip. Processor  134  then performs a series of operations to initiate quiet mode operation. 
         [0069]    In step  708 , processor  134  retrieves from memory  133  the quiet mode ringer setting volume of “1”, that was entered in step  316 . 
         [0070]    In step  710 , the quiet mode ringer volume setting is forwarded by processor  134  to a controller  138 . The controller  138  then sets the ringer volume to “1”. 
         [0071]    Similarly, in step  712 , processor  134  retrieves the quiet mode keypad tone setting “OFF” that was entered in step  502 . 
         [0072]    In step  714 , the quiet mode keypad tone setting is forwarded by processor  134  to controller  138 , which turns off the telephone keypad tone. 
         [0073]    In steps  716 - 722 , the error tone and voice announce features are turned off using the same set of procedures as for the keypad tone. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the exact sequence of steps  708  to  722  may be varied. 
         [0074]    When the clock signals 9:00 pm, the switch to quiet mode operation of various signaling features may be performed in any sequence with no discernible effect noticed by the user, because of the rapidity at which chips  134  and  138  operate. 
         [0075]    According to the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 7 , telephone  120  will operate in a quiet mode until the following morning at 8:00 am. At 8:00 am, clock  136  sends processor  134  a signal which triggers the flag to reset the ringer volume, error tone, keypad tone, and voice announce features, to daytime operation. 
         [0076]      FIG. 8  discloses an embodiment, which provides for individualized quiet mode operation for each telephone in a group of associated telephones. For example, for household telephone handsets using the same telephone number, a user may wish to vary the nighttime ringer volume depending on the proximity of a given handset to a bedroom. A telephone handset in the living room may be kept at a higher volume than those in bedroom areas, so that a person who is downstairs in the evening may be alerted to a call without disturbing persons already in bed. In step  800 , a user selects living room handset  120 , and proceeds to program quiet mode operation according to steps similar to steps  300 - 314  disclosed in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0077]    In step  316 , the user enters “4” for ringer volume, and then proceeds in a similar fashion to steps  318 - 322 , including exiting the quiet mode program in step  322 . 
         [0078]    In step  802 , the user selects TV room handset  122 , and repeats programming steps  300 - 314  However, because of the closer proximity to an upstairs bedroom, at step  316  the user enters “3” for ringer volume, before proceeding to enable the telephone and exit the program. 
         [0079]    In step  804 , the user selects upstairs handset  124 , and proceeds through steps  300 - 322 . In the case of handset  124 , the user selects volume “0” in step  316  to ensure quiet for any upstairs occupants after 9:00 pm. 
         [0080]    In step  806 , the user selects bedroom handset  126  and proceeds through steps  300 - 322  in an identical fashion to that used for handset  124 . Upon completion of the steps disclosed in  FIG. 8 , when an incoming telephone call is received between the hours of 9:00 pm and 8:00 am, handsets  124  and  126  remain silent, while the ringer volume of handset  122  is “3” and that of handset  124  is “4”. 
         [0081]    In a household in which many telephone handsets are associated with a single telephone base station, and the user wishes to establish the same quiet mode settings in all the telephone handsets, it is desirable to be able to program all the handsets at once.  FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment which provides a method for setting and modifying the quiet mode operation in a set of telephone handsets by use of a single device. During telephone programming, when a user chooses the TRANSMIT selection in menu  2   a , menu  20  opens. Menu  20  provides the user with two selections, TRANSMIT SETTINGS and RECEIVE TRANSMISSION. When a user choose the former, menu  22  opens, in which a user may then select ON and OK to enable a transmit mode. When the user subsequently exits menu  2   a  with quiet mode operation enabled, the quiet mode settings programmed in the user&#39;s telephone are sent to the other telephones, which will then subsequently operate according to the transmitted program settings received. 
         [0082]      FIG. 10  illustrates detailed steps for programming a set of telephones to operate according to a set of quiet mode instructions entered in a single telephone, according to another embodiment. In step  1000 , the user selects handset  122  and enters menu  2   a.    
         [0083]    In step  1002 , the user selects TRANSMIT from menu  2   a , which opens menu  20 . In addition to the TRANSMIT SETTINGS selection, the RECEIVE TRANSMISSION selection, when chosen, provides for a user to enable the device to receive a transmission from another device. 
         [0084]    In step  1004 , the user selects RECEIVE TRANSMISSION, causing menu  24  to open. The user then selects ON and OK. 
         [0085]    In step  1006 , the user exits the quiet mode program in handset  122 . Upon exit of the program, a flag is set in processor  134  of handset  122 , which enables the handset to receive and store transmitted information from another telephone in system  100 . 
         [0086]    In steps  1010 - 1016  the user selects handset  124  and repeats the procedure employed in steps  1000 - 1006 . 
         [0087]    In steps  1020 - 1026 , the user similarly programs handset  126  to enable it to receive transmitted information. 
         [0088]    The user then chooses telephone handset  120  and proceeds to program handset  120  according to the steps  300 - 320  outlined in  FIG. 3 . In step  1030 , the user selects TRANSMIT from menu  2   a  in handset  120 , and in step  1032  selects TRANSMIT SETTINGS, and OK, returning to menu  2   a . In step  1034 , processor  134  sets a flag to transmit the programmed settings of handset  120 , which may be tripped, for instance, when program menu  2  is exited. 
         [0089]      FIG. 11  illustrates the automatic transmission of quiet mode program settings from a first telephone in a telephone system, to all telephones enabled to receive the transmission, in accordance with a further embodiment. In step  1100 , a user exits menu  2 , in telephone handset  120 , sending a message to processor  134  to enable quiet mode operation of handset  120 . 
         [0090]    In step  1102 , the transmit flag is tripped causing processor  134  to retrieve quiet mode program information stored in memory  133  of handset  120 . The information is then forwarded to communication chip  140 . 
         [0091]    In step  1104 , communication chip  140  sends the quiet mode program information to receivers  142  in system handsets  122 ,  124 , and  126 . 
         [0092]    In step  1106 , the information received is forwarded to processors  134 , causing the preset flags in processors  134  to be tripped. 
         [0093]    In step  1108 , processors  134  forward the received information to memories  133 , which update the existing quiet mode settings in handsets  122 ,  124 , and  126 , according to the information received from handset  120 . It will be obvious to one of ordinary skill, that the programming procedures and telephone operations outlined in  FIGS. 10 and 11  could be performed using any telephone handset or base station in system  100  as the transmission source. For example, a user could select base station  110 , enter new quiet mode program instructions and send them to telephone handsets  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 , in system  100 . The quiet mode operation of the handsets would then be updated in accordance with the selections made in base station  110 , provided that the RECEIVE TRANSMISSION setting remained on in each of the handsets. 
         [0094]    A further embodiment provides a method for tailoring the period of quiet mode operation of a telephone system according to the day of the week. As disclosed in  FIG. 12 , a user is provided with additional “weekend” menu  20  accessible from general menu  2   b . In one embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 13 , a user initially proceeds according to steps  300 - 316  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0095]    After evening and morning times are set to delineate the period for quiet mode operation of the telephone system, the user is returned to general menu  2   b . If a user desires to alter the quiet mode period, for example, on the weekend, she then proceeds in step  1300  to select the WEEKEND feature in menu  2   b , which brings up menu  20 . 
         [0096]    In step  1302 , the user chooses SELECT WEEKEND DAYS selection in menu  20 , which causes menu  22  to open. The user may then choose specific days for which the quiet mode operation will be altered. 
         [0097]    In step  1304 , a user selects, for example, Friday and Saturday. By doing so, the user indicates that Friday and Saturday are to receive specialized instructions with respect to the quiet mode operation. The user exits menu  22  by selecting OK and is returned to menu  20 . 
         [0098]    In step  1306 , the user then selects SET EVENING, which causes menu  24  to be displayed. Under the “evening starts” heading, the user then enters 11:00 pm, and exits menu  24 , which brings her back to menu  20 . 
         [0099]    In step  1308 , the user selects SET MORNING, is brought to menu  26 , and, following an analogous procedure to step  1306 , enters a “morning starts” time of 10:00 am. At this point, the user proceeds to exit menu  26  and is brought back to menu  20 . 
         [0100]    In step  1310 , the user selects ENABLE/DISABLE/DEFAULT and is brought into “enable quiet weekend” menu  28 . Under “normal” operations, in which the telephone system quiet mode period is the same for every day, the DEFAULT option in menu  28  is selected. In order to activate the separate quiet mode operation periods selected for the weekend, the user must select ON in menu  28 . 
         [0101]    After selecting ON and OK, in step  1312 , the user is brought back to general menu  2   b.    
         [0102]    In step  1314 , the user selects OK in menu  2   b , and exits the program, whereupon distinct weekday and weekend quiet mode operations are enabled. 
         [0103]    In a preferred embodiment, after exiting the program, and without further user intervention, the telephone system enters quiet mode operation at 9:00 pm on every weekday, and exits quiet mode operation at 8:00 am the following weekday. Preferably clock  136  includes a calendar function so that on Friday and Saturday, flags separate from the weekday flags, can be set and tripped according to the quiet mode start and end time programmed for Friday and Saturday. Thus, every weekend, the telephone system does not enter quiet mode operation until 11:00 pm, and does not exit quiet mode until 10:00 am the following morning. On Sunday evening, the system enters quiet mode at 9:00 pm, and exits quiet mode at 8:00 am Monday. 
         [0104]    If, after programming a distinct a weekend quiet mode operation, the user subsequently desires to temporarily suspend the weekend quiet mode function, the user may enter menu  28 , and select DEFAULT, in which case, the telephone system quiet mode operation will be the same on all days. The user may alternatively select OFF to disable quiet mode operation completely during a weekend period. 
         [0105]    In another embodiment, disclosed in  FIG. 14 , a user is provided with a menu to customize the operation of signaling features during weekend mode operation. Selection of the OTHER FEATURES choice in menu  20 , causes menu  30  to appear, which lists signaling features that may be modified individually for operation during the weekend. For instance, if a user desires that the ringer operate at a volume of 1 during quiet mode weekend operation, the RINGER VOLUME feature is selected, which brings up menu  32 . After, a volume of “1” is selected, and menu  32  is exited, the user is returned to menu  30 . By selecting KEYPAD TONE, ERROR TONE, or VOICE ANNOUNCE in menu  30 , sub-menus  34 , 36 , or  38 , are activated, allowing the user to modify the operation of the given feature as desired. 
         [0106]    In each sub-menu a DEFAULT selection is provided, which, if selected, causes the weekend quiet mode operation of a given feature to default to the condition selected for weekday operation. For example, if a user wishes to have the same night time ringer volume setting on weekends as during the week, the DEFAULT choice in menu  32  is selected. The weekend quiet mode ringer volume is then determined by the value entered in menu  12  (Illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). Furthermore, the weekend quiet mode ringer volume would change in accordance with any changes entered in menu  12 . 
         [0107]    In another embodiment, a method is provided for a device to self-check quiet mode status whenever required. For example, after programming and activating quiet mode settings in a device or series of devices, one or more of the devices may enter a power saver mode or be out of range of other devices within a phone system. In a preferred embodiment, upon entering quiet mode programming, a user is provided with menu  2   c , which includes a “self-check” selection. Selection of the “self-check” feature activates menu  40 , which displays the choice “reactivate current settings”. While programming a chosen device, for example a handset, a user may choose “reactivate current settings” before exiting menu  40 . Subsequently, after the user exits menu  2   c  and quiet mode operation is enabled, the handset may enter a “sleep” or power saver mode. When the handset subsequently receives an incoming signal, for instance, a ringer signal, it sends a query to the system clock and also to its stored memory to retrieve the currently-programmed quiet mode settings. For example, if the ringer is programmed for a setting of “2” after 9:00 pm, and an incoming signal is received at 100:00 pm, the handset retrieves the current time, and sets the ringer volume to “2”, and the handset begins to ring. 
         [0108]    The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. 
         [0109]    Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
         [0110]    Further, in describing representative embodiments, the specification may have presented the method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.