Method and apparatus for installing telephone intercom-voice messaging apparatus at doorbell for dwelling

A doorbell response system in used in a dwelling including a telephone line and a telephone. The doorbell response system includes a doorbell, doorbell button, speaker, microphone, dialer to initiate the dialing of a telephone number, connection between the microphone and speaker, a system for eliminating the dial tone in the telephone line for a selected period of time so a person can communicate over the microphone and speaker, a system for dialing a number when the dialer is activated, a battery for the doorbell and doorbell button and telephone, and a trickle charge from the telephone line to the battery.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
 Not Applicable.
 REFERENCE TO "MICROFICHE APPENDIX" (SEE 37 CFR 1.96)
 Not Applicable.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 This invention relates to doorbells.
 More particularly, the invention pertains to a doorbell response system
 which can be retrofit in an existing doorbell system without requiring the
 incorporation of new wiring in the existing doorbell system.
 In a further respect, the invention pertains to a doorbell--telephone
 intercom system which can be utilized in conjunction with an existing
 doorbell and telephone(s) in a residence.
 2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37
 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.
 The use of an intercom system in a residence is well known in the art, with
 intercoms often being provided at the front door of the residence so that
 the inhabitants of the residence can converse with a visitor standing
 outside at the front door. The intercom includes a microphone for
 receiving verbal communications from the visitor standing at the front
 door, and includes a speaker for audibly relaying to the visitor comments
 made by the inhabitants of the residence.
 In one such prior art system, the speaker and microphone are wired to a
 digital signal processor. The digital processor is spliced into the wiring
 leading from the doorbell button to the doorbell of the residence. The
 digital processor is also connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network
 (PSTN) just as if the digital processor were an ordinary telephone. When
 the doorbell button is actuated by a visitor standing at a door of the
 residence, the digital processor waits a predetermined length of time for
 a telephone in the residence to go off hook. If the residence phone is
 taken off hook by an inhabitant of the residence, then the phone is,
 without utilizing the PSTN, connected to the intercom to permit the
 inhabitant to speak to the visitor. If the residence phone does not go off
 hook, then the digital processor autodials a number over the PSTN to a
 remote telephone located outside the residence. See, for example, U.S.
 Pat. No. 4,764,953 to Chern et al. The use of a local or remote telephone
 to communicate with an intercom at the door of a residence is well known
 in the art. Although intercom--telephone systems are widely utilized in
 the art, such systems often have long standing disadvantages. First, the
 circuitry and/or components associated with such intercom--telephone
 systems is often complicated and requires the use of specialized telephony
 or other components. Second, prior art systems typically require the
 cutting or splicing of existing wiring and circuitry, making the
 retrofitting of such systems impractical. Once a residence has been
 constructed and the telephone and doorbell lines installed, most
 homeowners are not inclined to attempt to incorporate new wiring or system
 components in a wall. Third, while autodialing is a known feature of
 doorbell--intercom systems, such systems do not give a visitor the
 flexibility of selecting to leave a message or to communicate with the
 inhabitants of a residence. Fourth, prior art systems do not enable a
 visitor the ability to communicate over the PSTN with an inhabitant of the
 residence on every phone in the residence.
 Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved
 doorbell--intercom system which could be quickly installed without
 requiring the splicing or alteration of the existing wiring in a
 residence, which would be simple in manufacture, which would permit a
 visitor to call a remote telephone site, and which would permit a visitor
 to leave a message for the inhabitants of the residence.
 Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved
 doorbell system.
 A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method and
 apparatus for installing a doorbell--intercom system.
 Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
 doorbell--intercom system which gives a visitor the ability to select
 whether to converse with an inhabitant of the residence, to leave a
 message, or to call a remote telephone.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 Briefly, in accordance with the invention, we provide an improved method
 for installing a doorbell response system in a dwelling. The dwelling
 includes telephone lines; a telephone jack connected to the telephone
 lines; and, a telephone connected to the telephone lines and having an
 assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone. The improved
 method includes the steps of providing a first auxiliary unit including an
 auxiliary doorbell button, a speaker, a microphone, a dialing system
 activated by a user for initiating the dialing of a telephone number, and
 a first transmitter for transmitting and receiving signals; of providing a
 second auxiliary unit including a system for connecting the second unit to
 receive electrical power, a system for connecting the second unit to the
 telephone outlet to enable a person to communicate via the microphone and
 speaker with another person speaking over said telephone lines, a system
 for eliminating for a selected period of time after the auxiliary door
 button is depressed the dial tone in the telephone lines so that a person
 may utilize the microphone and speaker to converse over the telephone
 lines with another person using the telephone in the dwelling, a system
 for dialing a number when the dialing system is activated by a user to
 initiate the dialing of the assigned telephone number, and a second
 transmitter for sending and receiving signals to and from the first
 transmitter; a system mounted in at least one of the first auxiliary unit
 and the second auxiliary unit to eliminate for a selected period of time
 after the auxiliary door button is depressed the dial tone in the
 telephone lines so that a person may utilize the microphone and speaker to
 converse over the telephone lines with another person using the telephone
 in the dwelling, and to dial a number when the dialing system is activated
 by a user to initiate the dialing of the assigned telephone number;
 connecting power to the first auxiliary unit and connecting the second
 auxiliary unit to the telephone jack such that depressing the auxiliary
 doorbell button actuates the doorbell and eliminates the dial tone when a
 person in the dwelling uses the telephone to speak via the second
 transmitter and said first transmitter over the microphone and to hear
 voice communication directed into the speaker by a user, and such that the
 dialing system can be activated by a user to initiate via the first
 transmitter and the second transmitter the dialing of the assigned
 telephone number.
 In another embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved doorbell
 response system in combination with a dwelling. The dwelling includes a
 telephone line, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having
 an assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone. The improved
 doorbell response system includes a first auxiliary unit including an
 auxiliary doorbell button; a speaker; a microphone; a dialing system
 activated by a user for initiating the dialing of a telephone number; and,
 a first transmitter for transmitting and receiving signals. The doorbell
 response system also includes a second auxiliary unit including a system
 for connecting the second unit to electrical power; a connector for
 connecting the second unit to the telephone line to enable a person to
 communicate via the microphone and speaker with another person speaking
 over the telephone line; a system for eliminate for a selected period of
 time after the auxiliary door button is depressed the dial tone in the
 telephone lines so that a person may utilize said microphone and speaker
 to converse over the telephone line with another person using the
 telephone in the dwelling; a system for dialing a number when the dialing
 system is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of the assigned
 telephone number; and, a second transmitter for sending and receiving
 signals to and from the first transmitter. The doorbell response system
 also includes a system mounted in at least one of the first auxiliary unit
 and the second auxiliary unit to eliminate for a selected period of time
 after the auxiliary door button is depressed the dial tone in the
 telephone line so that a person may utilize the microphone and speaker to
 converse over the telephone line with another person using the telephone
 in the dwelling; and, to dial a number when the dialing system is
 activated by a user to initiate the dialing of the assigned telephone
 number.
 In a further embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved doorbell
 response system in a dwelling. The dwelling includes at least one
 telephone line; and, a telephone connected to the telephone line and
 having an assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone. The
 improved doorbell response system includes a doorbell button; a speaker; a
 microphone; a dialing system activated by a user for initiating the
 dialing of a telephone number; a connector for connecting the speaker and
 microphone to the telephone line to enable a person to communicate via the
 microphone and speaker with another person to communicate via the
 microphone and speaker with another person speaking over the telephone
 line; a system for eliminating for a selected period of time after the
 doorbell button is depressed the dial tone in the telephone line so that a
 person amy utilize the microphone and speaker to converse over the
 telephone line with another person using the telephone in the dwelling;
 and, a system for dialing a number when the dialing system is activated by
 a user to initiate the dialing of a selected telephone number.
 In still another embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved
 doorbell response system for a dwelling. The dwelling includes at least
 one telephone line carrying a selected current of less than about two
 amps, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an
 assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone. The improved
 doorbell response system includes an auxiliary unit including an auxiliary
 doorbell button; a speaker; a microphone; a dialing system activated by a
 user for initiating the dialing of a telephone number; a connector means
 for connecting the auxiliary unit to the telephone line to enable a person
 to communicate via the microphone and speaker with another person speaking
 over the telephone line; a system for eliminating for a selected period of
 time after the auxiliary door button is depressed the dial tone in the
 telephone line so that a person may utilize the microphone and speaker to
 converse over the telephone line with another person using the telephone
 in the dwelling; and, a system for dialing a number when the dialing
 system is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a selected
 telephone number. The improved doorbell response system also includes a
 batter for providing power to at least one of the auxiliary unit and the
 telephone; and, a system for connecting said telephone line to the battery
 such that the telephone line provides a trickle charge for the battery.
 In still a further embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved
 doorbell response system for a dwelling. The dwelling includes at least
 one telephone line carrying a selected current of less than about two
 amps, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an
 assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone. The improved
 doorbell response system includes a doorbell; a doorbell button which is
 depressed to activate the doorbell; a speaker; a microphone; a dialing
 system activated by a user for initiating the dialing of a telephone
 number; a system for connecting the speaker and microphone to the
 telephone line to enable a person to communicate via the microphone and
 speaker with another person speaking over the telephone line; a system for
 eliminating for a selected period of time after the door button is
 depressed the dial tone in the telephone line so that a person may utilize
 said microphone and speaker to converse over the telephone line with
 another person may utilize said microphone and speaker to converse over
 the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the
 dwelling; a system for dialing a number when the dialing system is
 activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a selected telephone
 number; a battery for providing power to at least one of the doorbell
 button, the doorbell, and the telephone; and, a system for connecting the
 telephone line to the batter such that the telephone line provides a
 trickle charge for the battery.
 In yet another embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved doorbell
 response system for a dwelling. The dwelling includes a POTS telephone
 line, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an
 assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone. The improved
 doorbell response system includes a doorbell; a doorbell button which is
 depressed to activate said doorbell; a system for generating a video
 signal, a modulation system connected to the telephone line to receive the
 video signal and to receive an audio signal from the telephone for
 modulation and simultaneous transmission of the video signal and audio
 signal over the telephone line.
 In yet a further embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved
 visitor response system for a dwelling. The dwelling includes a POTS
 telephone line carrying a selected current of less than about two amps,
 and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned
 telephone number utilized to call the telephone. The improved visitor
 response systems includes a response unit including at least one of the
 group consisting of a doorbell, a video camera, a motion detector, alarm
 means, and a system for communicating with the telephone from the exterior
 of the dwelling; a battery for providing power for the response unit; and,
 a system for connecting the telephone line to the battery such that the
 telephone line provides a trickle charge for the battery.
 In a further embodiment of the invention, we provide a visitor response
 system for a dwelling. The dwelling includes a telephone line; a telephone
 connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number
 utilized to call the telephone; and, a pair of wires for a doorbell, the
 wires carrying a selected current of less than about two amps and
 providing a voltage in the range of about eight to twenty-four volts. The
 visitor response system includes a response system including at least one
 of the group consisting of a doorbell, a video camera, a motion detector,
 alarm means, and a system for communicating with said telephone from the
 exterior of said dwelling; a battery for providing power for the response
 means; and, a system for connecting the wires to the battery such that the
 wires provide a trickle charge for the battery.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferred
 embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating the practice
 thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention, and in
 which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout
 the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates the door unit of the doorbell
 response system of the invention. The response system of the invention is
 preferably utilized in a residence. Residences included homes, business
 building structures, and other structures inhabited or occupied at least
 periodically by human beings. As will be explained, the door unit of FIG.
 1 (and FIG. 2) interacts with the telephone interface unit illustrated in
 FIGS. 3 and 4.
 The door unit 19 of FIG. 1 includes a rectangular housing. Mounted in
 housing 19 are buttons or touch pads 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, and 18. If
 desired, unit 19 can be adapted to receive voice commands or to utilize
 other communication systems besides buttons 10, 11, 15 to 18. LED's 12 and
 13 are also mounted in housing 19, along with speaker 28, microphone 27,
 and transmitter-receiver 40. Unit 19 is mounted outside the door to a
 residence by removing the existing doorbell button and attaching unit 19
 to the existing pair of wires which powered the removed existing doorbell
 button. This pair of wires subsequently provides the electrical power to
 operate unit 19. The pair of wires leading to a conventional doorbell
 button ordinarily carry about 0.6 to 0.7 amps of current and provide a
 voltage in the range of about eight to twenty-four volts.
 When depressed or touched, button 11 activates a voice menu which causes
 audio signals to be produced by speaker 28. These audio signals consist of
 a person's voice explaining how the buttons on unit 19 are operated. If
 desired, these audio signals can be automatically activated and produced
 when a visitor depresses doorbell button 14. Controller 24 (FIG. 2) senses
 when buttons 10, 11, 14 to 18 are depressed and, as will be described,
 generates appropriate responses and commands.
 When depressed or touched, button 14 functions to close the circuit
 comprised in part of the existing doorbell wires so that the existing
 doorbell in the residence is actuated and rings. When depressed or
 touched, button 10 discontinues the connection between unit 19 and a
 telephone in the residence and also discontinues the dial tone block which
 occurs as a result of a visitor depressing button 14.
 When depressed or touched, button 15 continues or re-initiates the dial
 tone block which permits the inhabitant of the residence to utilize a
 telephone in the residence to converse with a visitor over microphone 27
 and speaker 28. After a visitor initially depresses button 14, the
 continue button ordinarily can only be depressed several times because if
 no call is dialed after about a minute, the telephone company switching
 station automatically initiates a busy signal, initiates a taped voice
 request that the caller dial a telephone number, or takes some other
 action automatically. If desired, button 15 can be eliminated and unit 19
 can be constructed such that the controller in unit 19 automatically
 performs the function of button 15 and continues the dial tone block for
 as long as possible or necessary.
 When depressed or touched, button 16 causes the number of the residence to
 be dialed so that, if the number is not answered, a message can be left on
 the voice mail of the residence telephone.
 If desired, an answering machine is provided in unit 19, in a telephone in
 the residence, or at another location in the residence. If such an
 answering machine is provided, unit 19 is constructed and programmed such
 that depressing button 16 connects unit 19 to the answering machine and
 activates the answering machine so the visitor can recite a message over
 microphone 27 and have the message recorded on the answering machine. The
 utilization of such a "local" answering machine moots having to rely on
 the voice mail system of the local telephone company. When the answering
 machine is in a telephone in the residence, depressing button 16 generates
 a signal(s) which is transmitted via radio frequency, hard wire,
 satellite, microwave, POTS telephone line, or another communication line
 or channel to a processor in the telephone. The processor receives the
 signal(s) and transmits the signal(s) to the answering machine to operate
 the answering machine and permit a voice message embodied in the signal(s)
 to be recorded on the answering machine.
 When depressed or touched, button 17 causes a number to be dialed which
 places a call to a telephone which is remote from the residence.
 When depressed or touched, button 18 causes a number to be dialed which
 places a call to a telephone at a desired location at or remote from the
 residence.
 The block diagram of FIG. 2 further illustrates unit 19 as including a
 computer or microprocessor including a controller 24 and a memory 26.
 Button data input 29 (signals from doorbell button 14, stop button 10,
 continue button 15, help menu button 11, a call button 16 to 18, from the
 telephone interface unit via transmitter-receiver 37, or, if desired,
 other or comparable data signals from a keyboard, punched card reader,
 paper tape reader, optical scanner, etc.), microphone 27, speaker 28, and
 transmitter-receiver 40 are also provided. A CRT or other data output
 means or display operatively associated with controller 24 can also, if
 desired, be provided and display information on a CRT screen.
 The controller 24 can be a digital computer, analog computer, hybrid
 computer, or other programmable apparatus. In practice, the very large
 majority of computers comprise digital computers.
 The memory 26 can be any suitable prior art memory unit such as are
 commonly used in digital or other computers. For example, electromagnetic
 memories such as magnetic, optical, solid state, etc. or mechanical
 memories such as paper tape.
 Data can be input into memory 26 prior to the operation of the door unit of
 FIG. 2. Such data can be utilized by the button activation program 23 to
 interpret a signal received from transmitter-receiver 37 or from button
 data input 29 and to determine the proper commands to be issued by
 controller 24 in response to the signal. Similarly, data from memory 26
 can be utilized by the intercom program to interpret a signal received
 from microphone 27, speaker 28, or transmitter-receiver 40 (from
 transmitter-receive 37) and to determine the proper commands to be issued
 by controller 24 in response to the signal. Various apparatus and
 procedures for transmitting and receiving audio signals from a microphone
 or telephone to a speaker via a telephone line and/or transmitter-receiver
 40 is well known in the art and will not be detailed herein.
 Data can be input into memory 39 prior to the operation of the telephone
 interface unit of FIG. 3. Such data can be utilized by the local phone
 intercom program 32 to interpret a signal received from
 transmitter-receiver 40 or from telephone line 31 and to determine the
 proper commands to be issued by controller 24 in response to the signal.
 Similarly, data from memory 39 can be utilized by the dialing program 33
 to interpret a signal received from transmitter-receiver 40 and to
 determine the proper commands to be issued by controller 34 in response to
 the signal. Various apparatus and procedures for transmitting and
 receiving signals from a telephone line is well known in the art and will
 not be detailed herein.
 The block diagram of FIG. 3 illustrates the remote telephone interface unit
 50 (FIG. 4) as including a computer or microprocessor including a
 controller 34 and a memory 39. A transmitter-receiver 37 and interface
 with telephone line 31 are included. The telephone line interface
 typically comprises the cable 42 and clip 43 shown in FIG. 4. Clip 43 is
 removably clipped into a telephone wall jack in conventional fashion.
 Telephone line 31 is connected to a local telephone 35 in the residence at
 which the doorbell response system of the invention is installed, and is
 also connected to a telephone 36 which is remote from the residence at
 which the doorbell response system of the invention is installed. The
 transmitter-receiver sends signals to and receives signals from
 transmitter-receiver 40.
 In FIG. 4, the telephone interface unit 50 includes housing 44,
 transmitter-receiver 37, a pair of prongs 41 for insertion in a
 conventional 110 volt AC wall outlet, cable 42 and clip 43.
 In use, the doorbell button is removed from the existing doorbell at an
 entrance to a residence. The pair of wires which were connected to the
 existing doorbell button are connected to door unit 19 to provide the
 power for unit 19. The prongs 41 of telephone interface unit 50 are
 inserted in a 110 volt AC wall outlet and clip 43 is inserted in a
 telephone wall jack to connect unit 50 to the telephone line in the
 residence where units 19 and 50 are installed.
 When a visitor presses button 11, button data input 29 transmits a signal
 to controller 24 which interprets the signal as being generated as the
 result of the visitor depressing button 11. Controller 22 commands the
 intercom program 22 send signals to speaker 28 such that the speaker 28
 broadcasts sounds which produce a spoken verbal description of how unit 19
 is operated by the visitor.
 When a visitor presses button 14, button data input 29 transmits a signal
 to controller 24 which interprets the signal as being generated as the
 result of the visitor depressing button 14. Controller 22 commands the
 button activation program to close the circuit which includes the existing
 doorbell wires for a selected period of time so that the existing doorbell
 in the residence rings (or, pressing button 14 can physically close the
 circuit and cause the existing doorbell in the residence to ring).
 Controller 24 also directs transmitter-receiver 40 to send 30 a signal to
 transmitter-receiver 37 advising that button 14 has been depressed.
 Transmitter-receiver 37 transmits this information to controller 34 which
 utilizes the local phone intercom program 32 to produce a signal which is
 equivalent to dialing a "1" so that the dial tone on the local telephone
 is disabled and the inhabitant of the residence can pick up the local
 telephone(s) 35 and converse with the visitor via transmitter-receiver 37,
 transmitter-receiver 40, speaker 28, and microphone 27. If the inhabitant
 of the residence picks up the telephone(s) 35 at this point, has a
 conversation with the visitor, and hangs up, then the visitor can hit the
 stop button 10 to hang up the door unit, or, a timer in the door unit will
 automatically hang up the door unit after a pre-selected period of time
 has passed. When the door unit hangs up (after button 10 is pushed or when
 the timer in the door units hangs up the door unit), program 32 eliminates
 the dial tone disable so an incoming telephone call can be made to local
 telephone 35. If after ten to fifteen seconds, the inhabitant of the
 residence does not pick up the receiver of telephone(s) 35 and the visitor
 wishes to continue the dial tone disable, the visitor depresses the
 continue button 15. When the visitor presses button 15, button data input
 29 transmits a signal to controller 24 which interprets the signal as
 being generated as the result of the visitor depressing button 15.
 Controller 22 directs transmitter-receiver 40 to send 30 a signal to
 transmitter-receiver 37 advising that button 15 has been depressed.
 Transmitter-receiver 37 transmits this information to controller 34 which
 utilizes the local phone intercom program 32 to produce a signal which is
 equivalent to dialing a "1" so that the dial tone disable on the local
 telephone is continued so that the inhabitant of the residence can pick up
 the local telephone(s) 35 and converse with the visitor via
 transmitter-receiver 37, transmitter-receiver 40, speaker 28, and
 microphone 27. Button 15 can presently be depressed only six times before
 telephone company switching equipment will interrupt and begin either
 requesting that a telephone number be dialed, or that a number has been
 misdialed. When the telephone switching equipment interrupts, the visitor
 can continue the conversation by depressing the stop button 10, ringing
 the doorbell 14 again, and by waiting for the inhabitant of the residence
 to again pick up and begin to converse with the visitor over the local
 telephone(s) 35. If a DTMF decoder is included in unit 19, then the
 inhabitant of the residence can press the number one button on his phone
 to continue the dial tone disable on the local telephone(s).
 When a visitor presses button 16, button data input 29 transmits a signal
 to controller 24 which interprets the signal as being generated as the
 result of the visitor depressing button 16. Controller 22 directs
 transmitter-receiver 40 to send 30 a signal to transmitter-receiver 37
 advising that button 16 has been depressed. Transmitter-receiver 37
 transmits this information to controller 34 which utilizes the dialing
 program 33 and memory 39 to dial a pre-programmed number which calls
 telephone 35 such that telephone 35 in conventional fashion dials the
 phone number of the line it is on to access voice mail so the visitor can
 leave a message in voice mail. The visitor can, via speaker 28, hear the
 call being made and can leave a message in voice mail by speaking into
 microphone 27 which transmits the message into voice mail via program 22,
 transmitter-receiver 40, transmitter-receiver 37, dialing program 33, and
 telephone line 31. The use of voice mail to leave a message while dialing
 the phone number of the line you are on is well known and the apparatus
 for accomplishing such will not be outlined in detail here. Voice mail
 messages are readily retrieved by the inhabitant of a residence using his
 local telephone 35 to dial a seven digit number and then press selected
 number keys on telephone 35 to access the message, which is played back to
 the inhabitant over the speaker in the receiver of telephone 35.
 When a visitor presses button 17, button data input 29 transmits a signal
 to controller 24 which interprets the signal as being generated as the
 result of the visitor depressing button 17. Controller 22 directs
 transmitter-receiver 40 to send 30 a signal to transmitter-receiver 37
 advising that button 17 has been depressed. Transmitter-receiver 37
 transmits this information to controller 34 which utilizes the dialing
 program 33 and memory 39 to dial a pre-programmed number which calls
 telephone 36 and which, in the event telephone 36 is not answered and
 voice mail is available for telephone 36, waits for voice mail to be
 accessed so the visitor can leave a message in voice mail. The visitor
 can, via speaker 28, hear the call being made and can leave a message in
 voice mail by speaking into microphone 27 which transmits the message into
 voice mail via program 22, transmitter-receiver 40, transmitter-receiver
 37, dialing program 33, and telephone line 31. In the event an individual
 answers the call made to telephone 36, the visitor can also converse with
 that individual over microphone 27 and speaker 28 via program 22,
 transmitter-receiver 40, transmitter-receiver 37, etc.
 When a visitor presses button 18, button data input 29 transmits a signal
 to controller 24 which interprets the signal as being generated as the
 result of the visitor depressing button 18. Controller 22 directs
 transmitter-receiver 40 to send 30 a signal to transmitter-receiver 37
 advising that button 18 has been depressed. Transmitter-receiver 37
 transmits this information to controller 34 which utilizes the dialing
 program 33 and memory 39 to dial a pre-selected number which calls a
 selected telephone other than telephone 35 or telephone 36.
 The doorbell response system described herein is believed to be
 advantageous because it can be installed without cutting existing wire,
 breaking into existing walls, integrating new wiring or system components
 into a building structure, or redesigning existing telephone systems.
 Installation is unusually simple because it only requires that unit 50 be
 plugged into an outlet and telephone jack and that unit 19 take the place
 of the existing doorbell button. The doorbell response system of the
 invention also permits a visitor to select whether he wishes to speak with
 an inhabitant of a residence or simply wishes to leave a message. Finally,
 the system of the invention is provided with a help menu which describes
 to a visitor how the door unit is utilized.
 In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a transmitter-receiver 40 is
 not utilized to send signals to transmitter-receiver 37. Instead
 transmitter-receivers 37 and 40 are eliminated and a wire interconnects
 door unit 19 and unit 50. Signals are transmitted from unit 19 over the
 wire to unit 50 and vice-versa.
 In yet a further embodiment of the invention, transmitter-receivers 37 and
 40 are eliminated, unit 50 (or the components comprising unit 50) is
 incorporated in door unit 19, and a wire interconnects unit 50 with
 telephone line 31. Unit 50 can be "hard wired" to telephone line 31, or, a
 cable 42 and clip 43 can be utilized to connect unit 50 to a wall mounted
 or other telephone jack.
 Unit 50 can be powered by conventional 110 volt AC or by direct current
 supplied either by a battery or by an AC or a DC converter or step down
 transformer plugged into or connected to a 110 volt AC wall outlet. The
 battery can be trickle charged using the doorbell wires, POTS lines, or
 another source of electricity.
 Although not necessary, it is presently preferred that an incoming
 telephone call which causes a telephone in the dwelling to ring can not be
 accessed by a person standing at the front door of the dwelling and
 utilizing unit 19. The incoming call does not ring over speaker 28. If a
 person standing at the door is able to hear the ringer on a telephone in
 the dwelling, he still cannot utilize unit 19 to access the incoming call.
 As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a switch or other
 means can readily be incorporated in unit 19 to prevent access to an
 incoming call (i.e., a call from a telephone outside of and remote from
 the dwelling) to a telephone in the dwelling.
 The dwelling 60 in FIG. 5 includes front door 61, video camera 62 for
 viewing visitors standing outside dwelling 60 near door 61, alarm 63, door
 unit 29, interior POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) telephone line 31A,
 line 71 extending from camera 62 to unit 19 to transmit video signals to
 unit 19, telephone jacks 66-67 and 69 connected to line 31A, and, 120 VAC
 wall outlets 74 and 75 (the conventional wiring supplying electrical power
 to outlets 74 and 75 is omitted for the sake of clarity). Telephone
 signals are transmitted to and from dwelling 60 over exterior telephone
 line 31B. Exterior telephone line 31B is connected to line 31A at junction
 box 80. As earlier described, unit 19 includes microphone 27, speaker 28,
 doorbell button 14, and transmitter--receiver 40. Unit 19 also includes
 other buttons or components which although not visible in FIG. 5 are
 depicted in FIG. 1.
 A telephone interface unit 50 is plugged into electrical wall outlet 75.
 The clip 43 of cable 42 of unit 50 is plugged into telephone wall jack 67
 to interconnect cable 42 and unit 50 with telephone line 31A. Unit 50
 communicates with unit 19 in the manner earlier described herein. For
 example, transmitter--receiver 40 sends wireless signals to unit 50 in the
 manner indicated by arrow A.
 Telephone interface unit 68 is plugged into electrical wall outlet 74 and
 includes a cable 69 which is plugged into telephone wall jack 70 in the
 same manner that cable 42 is plugged into telephone wall jack 67. Unit 68
 transmits telephone call signals to cordless telephone 81 in the manner
 indicated by arrows B. Telephone 81 transmits a telephone call signal to
 unit 68 in the manner indicated by arrows C. Consequently, as is well
 known, a caller in dwelling 60 initiates a call by holding telephone 81,
 by pressing a button telephone 81 to obtain a dial tone, and by depressing
 buttons (typically seven buttons for a local call, more for a long
 distance call) representing the telephone number of person or
 establishment being called. When the person being called (hereafter "the
 recipient" of the call) picks up his telephone, the caller in dwelling 60
 converses with the recipient via telephone 81, unit 68, and telephone line
 31A and 31B.
 Television or computer monitor 64 can receive signals from camera 62 by
 wireless signal indicated by arrow D (from transmitter on camera 62) or
 via telephone line 31A. When telephone line 31A is utilized to transmit
 simultaneously a video signal from camera 62 and an audio signal from
 telephone 81 or from unit 19, modulators will ordinarily be utilized. A
 modularos in camera 62 (or unit 19) transmits a modulated signal over line
 31A to television 64. A modulator in television 64 receives the signal and
 puts it in a form which can be utilized by the television to produce an
 image on the television screen. Similarly, an incoming telephone call is
 received by a modulator at junction 80, is processed by the modulator, and
 is sent over line 31A to unit 68. Unit 68 includes a modulator which
 processes the modulated signal from line 31A and put it in a form
 processable by telephone 81. Finally, an audio or video signal received by
 unit 19 is received by a modulator in unit 19, is process by the modulator
 and is transmitted over line 31A to junction 80. At junction 80, the
 modulated signal from unit 19 typically is received by a modulator
 positioned at junction 80, and is processed for transmission over line
 31B. An audio signal from unit 19 can be transmitted A to a modulator in
 unit 50; from the modulator in unit 50 through line 31B to a modulator at
 junction 80: and, from a modulator at junction 80 through telephone line
 31B.
 If a telephone call comes in over line 31B while camera 62 is sending a
 video signal over line 31A, a modulator at junction 80 ordinarily receives
 the call and transmits it over line 31A at the same time the video signal
 is being transmitted over line 31A. While it is possible that camera 62
 can produce an analog signal, the camera 62 likely to be utilized is one
 which produces a digital signal.
 The modulators utilized in the invention preferably can accept and transmit
 over line 31A audio signals, video signals, and computer produced digital
 signals.
 Line 31A is connected to battery 82 to provide a trickle charge for battery
 82. The current output of line 31A normally is less than about two amps,
 typically less than one amp. The battery 82 preferably includes a limiter
 circuit which halts the charging of battery 82 by line 31A when the
 limiter circuit detects AC voltage when an incoming call from line 31B
 causes telephone 81 to ring. Once telephone 81 stops ringing (i.e., the
 incoming caller hangs up or the person holding telephone 81 and receiving
 the call takes telephone 81 off hook), the limiter circuit permits the
 charging of battery 82 to continue. The limiter circuit can also be
 designed to permit the charging of battery 82 (and flow of current from
 line 31A to battery 82) only when telephone is not being used to make or
 receive a call. Accordingly, one primary purpose of the limiter circuit is
 to permit current from line 31A to be used to charge battery 82 without
 altering the current draw by the battery to increase by too much. If the
 battery causes the current draw in line 31A to increase too much, lines
 31B and 31A are automatically shut down by telephone company equipment.
 Electrical energy from battery 82 travels through line 83 to unit 19 to
 power unit 19. Battery 82 or another battery or batteries can be utilized
 to power camera 62, alarm 63, a motion sensor, a telephone, or any other
 piece of equipment in or near dwelling 60. When battery 82 is utilized to
 provide the power for unit 19 unit 19 may not need to be connected to the
 wires which provided power for an original doorbell button (which original
 button was replaced by unit 19), and, unit 19 also may not need otherwise
 to be wired to another source of electrical power. Battery 82 can be
 charged by electricity generated by a solar-powered panel, generated by a
 windmill, provided by the doorbell wires as a trickle charge, or by any
 other means. A battery 82 can be separate from unit 19 in the manner
 illustrated in FIG. 5, or can be incorporated into unit 19 (or camera 62,
 alarm 63, etc.).
 When unit 19 is connected to a conventional 120 VAC line in dwelling 60, a
 transformer can be utilized to reduce the voltage to 16 volts AC or to
 another desired level. Many door bells only require about 16 volts AC.
 Such transformers can, if appropriate, also be utilized in conjunction
 with camera 262, alarm 63, or with any with any other equipment in
 dwelling 60.
 Controller 24 can receive at any designated time--typically when a visitor
 depresses button 14 to activate a doorbell in dwelling 60--a video signal
 from camera 62 and prepare and transmit via transmitter 40 an RF signal to
 antenna 72 on television 64. Alternately, unit 19 can transmit a video
 signal from camera 62 over telephone line 31A via jack 66 and line 65 to
 television 64. As earlier mentioned, a video signal can, without being
 transmitted to unit 19, be transmitted directly from camera 62 to
 television or CRT 64 either via line 31A or another hard wired line or by
 a wireless signal indicated by arrows D. Also as earlier discussed,
 modulators are preferably utilized when a video or other signal is
 transmitted over telephone line 31A to television 64, or, when a video or
 other signal is transmitted over telephone line 31A to junction 80 for
 transmission over line 31B to another dwelling or another desired remote
 location. Television or CRT 64 can be separate as illustrated in FIG. 5,
 or can be incorporated in telephone 81 or another piece of equipment.
 Controller 24 can be programmed to send a video signal from camera 62 to
 television 64, to a video recorder like a VCR, or over lines 31A and 31B
 to an office or other location remote from dwelling 60.
 In one embodiment of the invention a DTMF decoder is included in unit 19 or
 in dwelling 60. The DTMF decoder receives the sounds produced when the
 number keys on a telephone are depressed to activated. The decoder is
 preferably connected to a unit which electrically controls and can open
 and close the strike plate of a door 61. The strike plate is in the door
 jamb. If, for example, a visitor is standing outside dwelling 60 in front
 of locked door 61 and requires access, the visitor can push button 17 and
 cause unit 19 to make a telephone call to an individual at a remote
 office. The individual picks up the call and converses with the visitor.
 If the individual wishes, he or she can, while on the telephone line,
 press four (or any desired selected number) of the touch tone keys on his
 phone (for example, the keys for numbers "2", "5", "6", and "9") to
 produce the code which causes the lock on door 61 to open. The four tones
 or "code" produced by pushing the four keys are received by the DTMF
 decoder which interprets the tones to produce a numerical code that
 authorizes the opening of door 61. The DTMF decoder then activates the
 unit which controls the handle of door 61, causing the unit to move the
 strike plate so the visitor can open door 61 and enter dwelling 60. A
 touch tone key pad similar to that found on a telephone can be
 incorporated in unit 19 so that a visitor can, by depressing the
 appropriate ones of the touch tone keys, also produce for a DTMF decoder
 the code necessary to activate the unit which laterally displaces the
 strike pate to permit a visitor to open door 61.
 Instead of utilizing a DTMF decoder, controller 24 can be programmed such
 that when a sensor (not shown) connected to controller 24 transmits the
 appropriate data to controller 24, controller 24 sends the signals
 necessary to open door 61. The sensor connected to controller 24 can be
 constructed to read a magnetic strip on a card, read information stored in
 a magnetic strip on a ring worn by a visitor, or to read data from any
 other data source carried on or by the visitor.