Appeal No. 1998-2870
Application 08/429,954
BACKGROUND
The disclosed invention relates to telephone accessory
communications device for use with preexisting hotel telephone
systems and a method of operating such a device. The device is
coupled between a preexisting telephone and a telephone line.
The device is powered by lifting the receiver of the telephone.
The device allows for selection of services, such as pay-per-view
movies, and paying for such services with a credit card via a
card swipe mechanism. The device has a memory which can be
programmed via an external cable connection.
Claim 1 is reproduced below.
1. A telephone accessory communications device
externally coupled to a response device and an external
apparatus comprising:
(a) an actuator device providing a service select
signal corresponding to a selected service;
(b) an information retrieving device providing an
information signal corresponding to data stored by an
information storage device;
(c) a cable connector for providing reception of
programming data from an external device;
(d) central processing unit coupled to retrieve the
information signal, the service select signal and the
programming data, and generating in response thereto
respective control signals that each correspond to one of
the service select signal and the information signal, and
enabling the storage of the programming data; said central
processing unit being enabled to generate said control
signals by activating said response device; and
(e) a telephone signalling generator coupled to
retrieve the generated control signals and in response
- 2 -
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007