MXPA99007856A - Method and apparatus for telephone intercom doorbell response system - Google Patents

Abstract

A doorbell response system that can be retrofit in an existing doorbell system of a dwelling. In a preferred embodiment, the dwelling includes a telephone line (31) and a telephone (35) connected thereto. The doorbell response system includes a doorbell button, a transmitter-receiver to the telephone line to enable a person to communicate via the transmitter-receiver through intercom program (22, 32) with the local telephone (35) or the remote telephone (36).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE INTERCOMMUNICATION DOOR RING RESPONSE SYSTEM This invention relates to doorbells. More particularly, the invention relates to a doorbell response system that can be modernized in an existing doorbell system without requiring the addition of new wiring in the existing doorbell system. Additionally, the invention relates to a doorbell-telephone intercom system which can be used in conjunction with an existing doorbell and telephone (s) within a residence. The use of an intercommunication system in a residence is well known within the technique, the intercounters are often found in the front door of the residence, so that the inhabitants of the residence can converse with a visitor who remains outside. , standing in the front door. The intercom system includes a microphone to receive verbal communication from the visitor who stands at the front door, and includes a loudspeaker to audibly convey to the visitor the comments made by the inhabitants of the residence. In a prior art system, the speaker and microphone are wired to a digital signal processor. The digital processor is spliced into the wiring that leads from the door bell button to the door bell of the residence. The digital processor also connects to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) as if the digital processor were an ordintelephone. When the door bell button is operated by a visitor who remains in a doorway of the residence, the digital processor waits for a predetermined duration of time for a residence telephone to be picked up. If the residence telephone is picked up by an inhabitant of the residence, then the telephone is connected, without using the PSTN, to the intercommunication system, to allow the inhabitant to talk to the visitor. If the residence telephone is not picked up, then the digital processor automatically marks a number on the PSTN to a remote telephone located outside the residence. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,764,953 to Chern et al. It is well known in the art to use a local or remote telephone to communicate with a communication system located at the door of a residence. Although telephone intercom systems are widely used in the art these systems often have disadvantages long ago. First, the set of circuits and / or the components associated with these telephone intercom systems are often complicated and require the use of specialized telephony or other components. Second, the prior art systems typically require cutting or splicing existing wiring and circuitry, rendering the modernization of these systems impractical. Once a residence has been built and telephone lines and doorbell are installed, most homeowners are not inclined to try to incorporate new wiring or system components into a wall. In the third, while automarcado is a known feature in the ti-intercounter systems, these systems do not give the visitor the flexibility to be able to select leaving a message or being able to communicate with the inhabitants of a residence. Fourth, the prior art systems do not allow a visitor the ability to communicate through the PSTN with a resident of each residence phone.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved door bell system with intercom that could be quickly installed without requiring the splicing or alteration of the existing wiring in a residence., that was simple in. its manufacturing, which would allow a visitor to call a remote telephone site, and allow a visitor to leave a message for the inhabitants of the residence. Therefore, it is a main 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 voice-intercom system. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bell-intercom system that gives a visitor the ability to select whether to converse with a resident of the residence, leave a message, or call a "remote" telephone. and other additional and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a control unit mounted at the entrance of a residence and constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the mode of operation of the control unit of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a remote telephone interface unit used in accordance with the invention; Y Figure 4 is a perspective view further illustrating the remote telephone interface unit of Figure 3.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, we provide an improved method for installing a doorbell response system in a residence. The residence or home includes telephone lines, a telephone jack connected to telephone lines and a telephone connected to telephone lines and which has an assigned telephone number used to call a telephone. The improved method includes the steps of providing a first auxiliary unit that includes an auxiliary doorbell button, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a user-activated dialing system to initiate the dialing of a telephone number, and a first tratter for trat and receive signals; and 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 allow a person to communicate via the microphone and the loudspeaker with another person who speaks through the mentioned telephone lines; a system to eliminate during a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is stopped, the dial tone on the telephone lines so that a person can use the telephone and the loudspeaker to converse on the telephone lines with another person using the telephone (s) in the home, 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 tratter for sending and receiving signals to and from the first tratter, a system mounted on at least one of the first auxiliary unit and the second auxiliary unit to be eliminated for a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is released, the marked on the telephone lines so that a person can use the microphone and loudspeaker to converse on the telephone lines with another person using the telephone (s) of the residence and to dial a number when the dialing system is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the assigned telephone number, connect power to the first auxiliary unit and connect the second auxiliary unit to the telephone jack, such that the pressure of the door bell auxiliary button triggers the door bell and eliminates the dial tone when a person in the house uses the telephone (s) to speak via the second half tratter and said first tratter on the microphone to hear the voice communication directed on the loudspeaker by a user, and in such a way that the dialing system can be activated by a user to initiate via the first tratter and the second tratter the dialing of the assigned telephone number. In another embodiment of the invention, an improved doorbell response system in combination with a residence or dwelling house is provided. The residence also includes a telephone line, a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone. The improved door response system includes a first auxiliary unit that includes an auxiliary door bell button; a speaker; a microphone; a dialing system activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a telephone number; and, a first tratter to trat and receive 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 allow a person to communicate via the microphone and loudspeaker with another person speaking through the telephone line; a system to eliminate during a selected period of time after the auxiliary button of the door is stopped, the dial tone on the telephone lines so that a person can use the microphone and the loudspeaker to converse through the telephone line with another person using the telephone (s) in the residence; a system for dialing a number when the dialing system is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the assigned telephone number; and a second transmitter for sending and receiving signals to and from the first transmitter. The door bell response system also includes an apparatus mounted on at least one of the first auxiliary unit and the second auxiliary unit to be removed for a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is no longer depressed. marked on the telephone lines so that a person can use the telephone and loudspeaker to talk over the telephone lines with another person using the telephone (s) in the home, and, to dial a number when the system marked is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of an assigned telephone number. In another embodiment of the invention, an improved doorbell response system is provided in combination with a home or residence. The home includes a telephone line, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and which has an assigned telephone number that is used to make calls to said telephone. The improved doorbell response system includes a first auxiliary unit that includes an auxiliary door bell button, a loudspeaker, a microphone; a dialing system activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a telephone number; a connector for connecting the loudspeaker and the microphone to the telephone line to allow a person to communicate via the microphone and the loudspeaker with another person to communicate via the microphone and the loudspeaker with another person speaking on the telephone line; a system to eliminate, during a selected period of time, after pressing the auxiliary button, the telephone line ring tone so that a person can converse with another person through the telephone lines using the microphone and the loudspeaker in the telephone inside the house; and a system for dialing a number when the dialing system is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the assigned telephone number. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an improved doorbell response system is provided in combination with a dwelling. The home includes at least one telephone line through which a selected current of approximately less than two amperes passes, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number used to make calls to said telephone. The improved doorbell response system includes an auxiliary unit that includes an auxiliary door bell button, a loudspeaker, a microphone; a dialing system that is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a telephone number; a connector means for connecting the auxiliary unit to the telephone line to allow a person to communicate via the microphone and loudspeaker with another person through the telephone line; a system for eliminating, during a selected period of time, after pressing the auxiliary door bell button, the telephone line tone so that a person can converse with another person through the telephone lines using the microphone and the telephone. speaker on the tphone inside the house; and a system for dialing a number when the dialing system is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the assigned telephone number. The improved doorbell response system also includes a battery to provide power to at least one auxiliary unit and the telephone; and, a system for connecting said telephone line to the battery in such a way that the telephone line provides a slow charge for the battery. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an improved doorbell response system is provided in combination with a dwelling. The home includes at least one telephone line through which a selected current of approximately less than two amperes passes, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number used to make calls to said telephone. The improved doorbell response system includes a doorbell button, a speaker, a microphone; a dialing system that is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a telephone number; a system for connecting the loudspeaker and microphone to the telephone line to allow a person to communicate via the microphone and loudspeaker with another person speaking through the telephone line; a system for eliminating, during a selected period of time, after pressing the auxiliary door bell button, the dial tone of the telephone line so that a person can converse with another person through the telephone line and who can use the telephone line. mentioned microphone and speaker to converse through the telephone line with another person inside the house; a system for dialing a number when the dialing system is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of the assigned telephone number, a battery to provide power to at least one of the doorbell buttons, and to the telephone; and, a system for connecting the telephone line to the battery in such a way that the telephone line provides a slow charge for the battery. In still another embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved doorbell response system in combination with a dwelling. The house includes one. POTS telephone line, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number used to make calls to said telephone. The improved doorbell response system includes a door bell, a doorbell button that is pressed to activate said doorbell, a system for generating a video signal, a modulation system connected to the telephone line for receive the video signal and receive the audio signal of the telephone for its modulation and simultaneous transmission of the video signal and audio signal through the telephone line. In yet another embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved response system for visitors to a home. The home includes a POTS telephone line through which a selected current of less than about two amperes passes, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number that is used to make calls to said telephone. The improved visitor response system includes a response unit that includes at least one of the group consisting of a doorbell, a video camera, a motion detector, means for alarm, and a system for communicating with a telephone. from the outside of the room, a battery to provide power for the response unit; and a system for connecting the telephone line to the battery in such a way that the telephone line provides a slow charge for the battery. In a further embodiment of the invention, we provide a visitor response system for a room house. The house includes a telephone line, a telephone connected to the telephone line which has an assigned telephone number that is used to make calls to said telephone.; and a pair of wires for the door bell, through the wires a selected current of at least about two amps passes and which provides a voltage in the range of about eight to twenty-four volts. The visitor response system includes a response system that includes at least one of the group consisting of a doorbell, a video camera, a motion detector, means for alarm, and a system for communicating with a telephone from the exterior of the house, a battery to provide energy for the response media; and a system for connecting the wires of the battery in such a way that the wires provide a slow charge for the battery. Turning now to the drawings, which represent the currently preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limiting the scope of the invention, in which like reference characters refer to the elements corresponding to the entire length of the different views, Figure 1 illustrates a door unit of a door bell response system of the invention. The door bell response system of the invention is preferably used in a residence. The residences included houses, structures of business buildings, and other structures inhabited or occupied at least periodically by human beings. As will be explained, the door unit of Figure 1 (and Figure 2) interacts with the telephone interface unit illustrated in Figures 3 and. The door unit 19 of Figure 1 includes a rectangular housing. Mounted in the housing 19 are the buttons or touch pads 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18. If desired, the unit 19 can be adapted to receive voice commands or to use other communication systems apart from the buttons 10. , 11, 15 or 18. LEDs 12 and 13 are also mounted in housing 19, together with speaker 28, microphone 27, and receiver transmitter 40. Unit 19 is mounted outside the door of a residence by removing the button existing door bell and by joining unit 19 to the existing pair of wires that operated the existing button of the removed door bell. This pair of wires subsequently provides the electrical power to operate the unit 19. The pair of wires leading to a conventional door bell button transports approximately about 0.6 to 0.7 amperes of current and provides a voltage in the range of about eight to twenty-four volts. Pressing or touching button 11 activates a voice menu which causes audio signals to be produced by speaker 28. These audio signals consist of a voice of a person explaining how the buttons on unit 19 are operated. If desired, these audio signals can be activated and produced automatically when the visitor presses the doorbell button 14.

The controller 24 (Figure 2) perceives the buttons 10, 11, 14 to 18 when depressed and, as will be described, generates appropriate responses and commands. When depressed or touched, the button 14 functions to close the circuit comprised in part of the existing door bell wires so that the door bell existing in the residence is activated and sounds. When depressed or touched, the button 10 discontinues the connection between the unit 19 and a telephone in the residence and also discontinues the blocking of all coverage that occurs as a result of a visitor pressing the 14 button. When pressed or touched, the button 15 discontinues or re-initiates the dial tone that allows the resident to use a telephone in the residence to converse with a visitor at the microphone 27 and speaker 28. After a visitor initially presses the 14 button, the continuation button can only be pressed ordinarily several times because if the call is not dialed after approximately 1 minute, the telephone company's switching station automatically initiates a busy signal, initiates a voice request recorded on magnetic tape for the caller to dial a phone number, or take some other action automatically. If desired, the button 15 can be eliminated and the unit 19 can be constructed such that the controller in the unit 19 automatically performs the function of the button 15 and continues the block of the dial tone as much as possible or necessary. When pressed or touched, button 16 causes the residence number to be dialed so that, if the number is not answered, a message can be left in the voice mail of the residence phone. If desired, an answering machine, a telephone at the residence, or another location of the residence is provided in unit 19. If said answering machine is provided, the unit 19 is constructed and programmed in such a way that the pressed button 16 connects the unit 19 to the answering machine and activates the answering machine so that the visitor can recite a message through the microphone 19 and may have the message recorded on the answering machine. The use of said "local" answering machine discusses the fact of having to rely on the voice mail system of the local telephone company. When the answering machine is on a telephone in the residence, pressing button 16 generates a signal (s) that is transmitted via radio frequency, hard wired, satellite, microwave, POTS telephone line, or other line or communication channel to a processor in the phone. The processor receives the signal (s) and transmits the signal (s) to the answering machine to operate the machine. to answer and allow a voice message embedded in the signal (s) to be recorded on the answering machine. When pressed or touched, the button 18 causes a number to be dialed, which places a call on a telephone at a desired location in or remote location of the residence. The block diagram of Figure 2 further illustrates the unit 19 that includes a computer or microprocessor that includes a controller 24 and a memory 26. The data input 29 of the button (signals from the doorbell button 14, button 10 stop button, continuation button 15, help menu button 11, a call button 16 to 18, from the telephone interface unit via a transmitter-receiver 37 or, if desired, different 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 screen operatively associated with the controller 24 may also be provided, if desired, and display the information on a CRT screen. The controller 24 can be a digital computer, analog computer, hybrid computer, or other programmable device. In practice, most computers include digital computers. The memory 26 may be any suitable memory unit of the prior art as commonly used in digital or other computers. For example, electromagnetic memories such as magnetic, optical, solid-state memories, etc., or mechanical memories such as paper tape. The data can be entered into the memory 26 before the operation of the door unit of Figure 2. This data can be used by a button activation program 23 for interpreting a signal received from the transceiver 37 or from the input 29 of the button data and to determine that the appropriate commands are issued by the controller 24 in response to the signal. Similarly, the data in the memory 26 may be used by the intercom program to interpret a signal received from the microphone 27, the loudspeaker 28 or transmitter-receiver 40 (from the transceiver 37) and to determine that the commands are issued appropriate by the controller 24 in response to the signal. There are several apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving signals from a microphone or telephone to a loudspeaker by means of a telephone line and / or receiver-transmitter 40 are well known in the art and will not be detailed here. The data can be entered into the memory 39 before the operation of the telephone interface unit of Figure 3. This data can be used by the local telephone intercom program 32 to interpret a signal received from the trans-isomer receiver 40. or from the telephone line 31 and to determine that the appropriate commands are issued by the controller 24 in response to the signal. Similarly, the data in the memory 39 can be used by the dialing program 33 to interpret a signal received from the transceiver 40 and to determine that appropriate commands are issued by the controller 34 in response to the signal. The various apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving signals from a telephone line are well known in the art and will not be detailed here. The block diagram of Figure 3 illustrates the remote telephone interface unit 50 (Figure 4) including a computer or microprocessor including a controller 34 and a memory 39. A transceiver 37 and interface with telephone line 31 are included. The telephone line interface typically comprises the cable 42 and the contact clip 43 shown in Figure 4. The contact clip 43 is removably attached to a female telephone wall jack in a conventional manner. The telephone line 31 is connected to a local telephone 35 in the residence in which the door bell response system of the invention is installed, and a telephone 36 is also connected which is far from the residence in which the door is installed. doorbell response system of the invention. The transceiver sends signals to and receives signals from the transceiver 40. In Figure 4, the telephone interface unit 50 includes the housing 44, the transceiver 37, a pair of teeth 41 for insertion into an output 110 volt conventional AC wall, cable 42 and contact clip 43. In use, the door bell button of the existing door bell is removed at the entrance to the residence. The pair of wires that were connected to the existing door bell button are connected to the door unit 19 to provide power for the unit 19. The teeth 41 of the telephone interface unit 50 are inserted into an AC wall outlet. 110 volts and the contact clip 43 is inserted into a female wall telephone jack to connect the unit 50 to the telephone line in the residence where units 19 and 50 are installed. When a visitor presses the button 11, the button data input 29 transmits a signal 24 to the controller that interprets the signal that is generated as a result of the visitor pressing the button 11. The controller 22 instructs the intercom program 22 to send signals to the speaker 28 in such a way that the speaker 28 broadcasts sounds that produce a spoken verbal description of how the visitor is operated on the unit 19 When a visitor presses the button 14, the button data input 29 transmits a signal to the controller 24 which interprets the signal as if will generate as a result of the visitor pressing the button 14. The controller 22 instructs the button activation program to close the circuit that includes the existing door bell wires for a selected period of time so that the door bell existing in the residence sound (or by pressing button 14 you can physically close the circuit and make the doorbell in the residence ring). The controller 24 also directs the transceiver 40 to send a signal to the transceiver 37 advising that the button 14 has been depressed. The transmitter-receiver 37 transmits this information to the controller 34 using the telephone intercom program 32, - local to produce a signal that is equivalent to dialing 1"so that the dial tone on the local telephone is disabled and the inhabitant of the residence can take the local telephone (s) 35 and converse with the visitor via the transceiver 37, the transceiver 40, the speaker 28 and the microphone 27. If the "inhabitant of the residence takes the phone (s) 35 at this point, have a conversation with the visitor, and hang up, then the visitor can type the stop button 10 to hang the door unit, or, a timer on the door unit will automatically hang the unit of door after a pre-selected period of time has passed. When the door unit picks up (after button 10 is pushed or when the door unit hangs on the door unit), program 32 removes the dial tone so that an incoming telephone call can be made to the telephone local 35. If after 10 to 15 seconds, the inhabitant of the residence does not pick up the receiver of the telephone (s) 35) and the visitor wishes to continue disabling the dial tone, the visitor presses the 15 continuation button. When the visitor presses the button 15, the data input 29 of the button transmits a signal to the controller 24 which interprets the signal as being generated by the result of the visitor pressing the button 15. The controller 22 directs the transceiver 40 to send 30 a signal to the transceiver 37 advising that the button 15 has been pressed. The transceiver 35 transmits this information to the controller 34 which uses the local telephone intercom program 32 to produce a signal that is equivalent to dialing a "1" so that the dial tone disabled on the local telephone is continued so that the resident of the residence can pick up the local telephone (s) 35 and converse with the visitor via the transceiver 37, the transceiver 40, loudspeaker 28, and microphone 27. The button 15 can now be pressed only six times before the telephone company's switching equipment interrupts and will start s or request that a phone number has been dialed, or that a number has been dialed wrong. When the telephone switching equipment is interrupted, the visitor can continue the conversation by pressing the stop button 10, ringing the doorbell 14 again, and waiting for the resident of the residence to pick up again and be able to converse with the visitor on the local telephone (s) 35. If a DTMF decoder is included in the unit 19, then the resident of the residence may press a number button on his telephone to continue disabling the dial tone on the local telephone (s). When a visitor presses the button 16, the button data input 29 transmits a signal to the controller 24 which interprets the signal tis generated as a result of the visitor pressing the button 16. The controller 22 directs the transceiver 40 to send a 30 signal to the transceiver 37 warning tbutton 16 has been pressed. The transmitter-receiver 37 transmits this information to the controller 34 which uses the dialing program 33 in the memory 39 to dial a pre-programmed number which calls the telephone 3-5 in such a way tthe telephone 35 in a conventional manner marks the telephone number of the line to access voice mail, so tthe visitor can leave a voicemail message. The visitor, via loudspeaker 28, can hear the call being made and can leave a message in the voicemail when speaking in the microphone 27 transmitting the message to the voicemail via the program 22, the transceiver 40 , the transceiver 37, the dialing program 33, and the telephone line 31. The use of voice mail to leave a message while dialing the telephone number of the line where it is is well known and the apparatus for achieving this it will not be described in detail here. The voice mail messages are easily retrieved by the resident of the residence or dwelling house using their local telephone 35 to dial a seven-digit number and then press the selected number keys on the telephone 35 to access the message, which the which reproduces the inhabitant in the loudspeaker in the telephone receiver 35. When a visitor presses the button 17, the button data entry 29 transmits a signal to the controller 24 which interprets the signal tis generated as the result of the visitor Press the button 17. The controller 22 directs the transceiver 40 to send a signal to the transceiver 37 warning tthe button 17 has been pressed. The transceiver 37 transmits this information to the controller 34 which uses the dialing program 33 and the memory 39 to dial a pre-programmed number which calls the telephone 36 and which, in the case tthe telephone 36 is not answered and is available Voice mail for telephone 36, waits for access to voice mail so tthe visitor can leave a message in voice mail. The visitor, via the loudspeaker 28, can hear the call being made and leave a message in the voice mail when speaking in the microphone 27 which transmits the message in the voice mail via the program 22, the transceiver 40, the transceiver 37, the dialing program 33, and the telephone line 31. In the event tan individual answers the call made to the telephone 36, the visitor can also converse with the individual in the microphone 27 and the speaker 28 via the program 22, transmitter-receiver 40, transmitter-receiver 37, etc. When a visitor presses the button 18, the button data input 29 transmits an al-driver signal 24 which interprets the signal as being generated as the result of the visitor pressing the button 18. The controller 22 directs the transceiver 40 to send 30 a signal to the transceiver 37 warning tthe button 18 has been pressed. The transmitter-receiver 37 transmits the information to the controller 34 which warns to use the dialing program 33 and the memory 39 to dial a preselected number tcalls a selected telephone other than the telephone 35 or the telephone 36. The ring response system of The door described herein is believed to be advantageous because it can be installed without breaking existing walls, integrating new system or wiring components into a building structure, or redesigning existing telephone systems. The installation is unusually simple because it only requires tthe unit 50 be plugged into an outlet and a female telephone jack and tthe unit 19 take the place of the existing door bell button. The door bell response system of the invention also allows a visitor to select whether he wishes to speak with the resident of a residence or simply wishes to leave a message. Finally, the system of the invention is provided with a help menu and describes the visitor about how the door unit is used.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a transmitter-receiver 40 is not used to send signals to the transceiver 37. Instead, the receiver transmitter 37 and 40 are eliminated and a wiring interconnects the door unit 19 and the unit 50. The signals are transmitted from unit 19 through the wiring to unit 50 and vice versa. In still another embodiment of the invention, the transceiver 37 and 40 are eliminated, the unit 50 (or the components comprising the unit 50) is incorporated in the door unit 19, and a wire interconnects the unit 50 with the telephone line 31. The unit 50 is connected with wire directly on the telephone line 31, or, a cable 42 and clamp 43 can be used to connect the unit 50 to the mounted wall or to some telephone input. The unit 50 can be started by a conventional 110 volt AC input or by direct current provided either by a battery or by an AC or DC converter or stepped transformer, plugged in or connected to an AC wall outlet. 110 volts. The battery can be charged slowly using the doorbell wires, POTS lines, or some other source of electricity. Although not necessary, it is currently preferred that an incoming telephone call that causes a telephone in the residence to call, can not be accessed by a person who is at the front door of the residence and who uses unit 19. The call incoming does not sound on the loudspeaker 18. If there is a person at the door, you can hear the doorbell on a residence phone and can not use the unit 19 to access the incoming call. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a switch or other means may be easily incorporated into the unit 19 to prevent access to an incoming call (i.e., a call from a telephone outside and away from the residence) to a telephone In the residence. The residence 60 in Figure 5 includes a front door 61, video camera 62 to see the visitors that are outside the residence 60 near the door 61, the alarm 63, the door unit 29, the telephone line 31A of POTS (Old Flat Phone System) interior, line 71 extending from chamber 72 to unit 19 to transmit video signals to unit 19, telephone jacks 66-67 and 69 connected to line 31A, and outputs of wall 74 and 75 of 120 volts of AC (the conventional wiring that supplies electrical power to the exit 74 and 75 is omitted for the sake of clarity). Telephone signals are transmitted to and from the residence or house room 60 over the outside telephone line 31B. The outside telephone line 31B is connected to the line 31A in the junction box 80. As described above, the unit 19 includes the microphone 27, the speaker 28, the door bell button 14, and the transceiver 40. The unit 19 also includes other buttons or components which, although not visible, are shown in Fig. 5 in Fig. 1. A telephone interface unit 50 is placed in the electrical wall outlet 75. The clip 43 of the cable 42 of the unit 50 is placed in telephone wall socket 67 for interconnecting cable 42 and unit 50 with telephone line 31A. The unit 50 communicates with the unit 19 in the manner described hereinabove. For example, the transceiver 40 sends wireless signals to the unit 50 in the manner indicated by the arrow A. The telephone interface unit 68 is placed in the electric wall outlet 74 and includes a cable 69 which is put on or plugged into the telephone wall jack 70 in the same way as the cable 42 is put in the telephone wall socket 67. The unit 68 transmits the signals of the telephone call to the wireless telephone 81 in the manner described by the arrows B. The telephone 81 transmits a telephone call signal to the unit 68 in the manner indicated by the arrows C. Consequently, as is well known, a calling person in the residence or house room 60 initiates a call by holding the telephone 81, by pressing a button telephone 81 to obtain a dial tone, and by pressing the buttons (typically seven buttons for a local call, plus for a long distance call) that represent the telephone number of the person or establishment called. When the caller (later "the receiver" of the call "picks up his / her phone), the caller in the room 60 speaks with the receiver and the telephone 81, the unit 68, and the telephone line 31A and 31B. The television or computer monitor 64 can receive signals from the camera 62 by the wireless signal indicated by the arrow D (of the transmitter in the camera 62) or via the telephone line 31 A. When the telephone line 31A is used to simultaneously transmit a signal of video from the camera 62 and an audio signal from the telephone 81 or from the unit 19, the modulators will be used in order A modulator of the camera 62 (or unit 19) transmits a modulated signal on the line 31A to the television 64. A television modulator 64 receives the signal and puts it into a form that can be used by television to produce an image on the television screen. The incoming channel is received by a modulator at junction 80, processed by the modulator, and sent on line 31A to unit 68. Unit 68 includes a modulator that processes the modulated signal from line 31A and places it on a processable form by telephone 81. Finally, an audio or video signal received by unit 19 is received by a modulator of unit 19, processed by the modulator and transmitted on line 31A to unit 80. At the junction 80, the signal modulated from the unit 19 is typically received by a modulator placed at the junction 80, and processed for transmission on the 8 ° B line. 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 in junction 80; and from a modulator at junction 80 through telephone line 31B. If a telephone call arrives on line 31B while camera 62 is sending an individual signal on line 31A, a modulator at junction 80 ordinarily receives the call and transmits it on line 31A at the same time that the video signal is received. is transmitting on line 31A. While it is possible for the camera 62 to produce an analog signal, the camera 62 to be used equally is one that produces a digital signal. The modulators used in television can preferably accept and transmit on line 31A audio signals, video signals, and digital signals produced by computer. The line 31A is connected to the battery 82 to provide a slow charge by the battery 82. The current output of the line 31A is usually less than about two amperes, typically less than one ampere. The battery 82 preferably includes a limiting circuit that stops charging the battery 82 by the line 31A when the limiting circuit detects that the AC voltage when an incoming call from the line 31B causes the telephone 81 to sound. Once it is stopped the call of the telephone 81 (that is, the incoming caller hangs up or the person holding the telephone 81 and receiving a call hangs the telephone 81), the limiting circuit allows the charge of the battery 82 to continue. The limiter circuit may also be designed to allow the charge of the battery 82 (and the flow of current from the line 31A to the battery 82) only when the telephone is not being used make or receive a call. Accordingly, a main purpose of the limiter circuit is to allow the current from line 31A to be used to charge the battery 82 without causing the current drawn by the battery to increase too much. If the battery causes the current drawn in the current 31A to be increased too much, the lines 31B and 31A are automatically closed by the equipment of the telephone company. The electrical power from the battery 82 travels through the line 81 to the unit 19 to drive the unit 19. The battery 82 or another battery or batteries can be used to operate the camera 62, alarm 63, a motion sensor, a telephone, or any other piece of equipment in or near the home room 60. When battery 82 is used to provide power for unit 19, unit 19 does not need to be connected to wires that provide power for an original door bell button (original button that was replaced by unit 19), and unit 19 can also be wired to another source of electrical power. The battery 92 can be charged by electricity generated by a solar energy panel, generated by a windmill, provided by the door bell wires as a slow charge, or by any other means. A battery 82 can be separated from the unit 19 in the manner illustrated in Figure 5, or it can be incorporated in the unit 19 (or chamber 62, alarm 63, etc.). When unit 19 is connected to a conventional 120 VAC line in house 60, a transformer can be used to reduce the voltage to 16 volts AC or another desired level. Many doorbells alone require approximately 16 volts AC. These transformers can also be used, if appropriate, in conjunction with "camera 262, alarm 62, or with any other equipment in the home room 60. Controller 24 to receive at any designated time, typically when a visitor presses the button 14 to activate a doorbell in the home room, 60, a video signal from the camera 62 and prepare and transmit via the transmitter 40 an RF signal to the antenna 62 in the television 64. Alternatively, the unit 19 can transmit a video signal from the camera 62 on the telephone line 31A via the plug 66 and the line 65 to the television 64- As mentioned above, a video signal can be transmitted, without transmitting the unit 19, directly from camera 62 to television or CRT 64 either via line 3 ÍA or another line of wire or by a wireless signal indicated by arrows D. As discussed above, they are preferably used modulators when a video or other signal is transmitted on the telephone line 3 A to the television 64, or when a video or other signal is transmitted on the telephone line 3 A to the unit 80 for transmission on the line 31B to another home or other desired remote location. The television or CRT 64 can be separated as illustrated in Figure 5, or it can be incorporated into the telephone 81 or another piece of equipment. The controller 24 can be programmed to send a video signal from the camera 62 to the television 64, or a video recorder apparatus similar to a VCR or over lines 31A and 3133 to an office or other location away from the room house 60 In one embodiment of the invention, a DTMF decoder is included in the unit 19 or in the house or residence 60. The DTMF decoder receives the sounds produced when the number keys on a telephone are pressed to activate. The decoder is preferably connected in an electrically controlled unit and can open and close the contact plate of a door 61. The contact plate is on the door leaf. For example, if a visitor is outside the house room 50 in front of the locked door 61 requires access, the visitor can press the button 17 and have unit 19 make a telephone call to an individual in a remote office. The individual answers the call and converses with the visitor. If the individual wishes, he can press, while on the telephone line, four (or any desired selected number) of the numeric keypad keys on his telephone) for example, the keys for the numbers "2", "5" , "6", and "9")) to produce the code * that causes the door lock 61 to open. The four tones or "codes" produced by pressing the four keys are received by the DTMF decoder that interprets the tones to produce a numerical code that authorizes the opening of the door 61. The DTMF decoder is activated to the unit and controls the door handle 61, causes the unit to move the contact plate so that the visitor can open the door 61 and enter the home or residence 60. A keypad of tone similar to that found in a telephone can be incorporated in the unit 19 so that a visitor by pressing the appropriate tone keys, can also produce for a DTMF decoder the code needed to activate the unit that laterally displaces the contact plate to allow a visitor to open the door 61. Instead of using a decoder DMTF, a controller 24 can be programmed such that when a sensor (not shown) connected to the controller 24 transmits the appropriate data to the controller 24, the controller 24 sends the necessary signals to open the door 61. The sensor connected to the controller 24 can be build to read a magnetic strip on a card, read information stored on a magnetic strip on a ring used by a visitor, or read data from any other source of data carried by a visitor.

Having described the invention and the presently preferred embodiments thereof in a manner understandable to those skilled in the art, it is claimed:

Claims (8)

1. A method to install a doorbell answering system in a house, the house that includes: at least one telephone line, a telephone plug connected to the telephone line, a telephone connected to the telephone lines and have an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone, the method is characterized in that it includes the steps of: (a) providing a first auxiliary unit that includes: (i) an auxiliary door bell button, (ii) a loud voice, (iii) a microphone), (iv) a marking means activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a telephone number, and (v) a first transmitting means for transmitting and receiving signals; (b) providing a second auxiliary unit that includes: (i) a means for connecting the second unit to receive electric power, (ii) a means for connecting the second unit to the telephone outlet to allow a person to communicate via the microphone and the loudspeaker with another person speaking on the telephone line, (iii) a means to eliminate for a selected period of time after the auxiliary button of the door is pressed the dial tone of the telephone line so that a person can use the microphone and loudspeaker to talk over the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the home, (iv) a means to dial a number when the dialing means is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the number assigned telephone, Y (v) a second transmitting means for sending and receiving signals to and from the first transmitter, (c) providing a means mounted on at least one of the first auxiliary unit and the second auxiliary unit for (i) illuminating for a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is pressed the dial tone on the telephone line so that a person can use the microphone and the loudspeaker to converse on the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the home, and (ii) dial a number when the dialing medium is acquired by a user to initiate dialing of the assigned telephone number; (d) connecting the power to the first auxiliary unit and connecting the second auxiliary unit to the telephone jack such that: (i) pressing the auxiliary door bell button operates the door bell and eliminates the first dialing when a person in the room house uses the telephone to talk via the second transmitter means and the first transmitter means on the microphone and to hear the voice communication addressed to the speaker by a user, and (ii) the dialing means can be activated by a user to start via the first transmitter means and the second transmitter dial the assigned telephone number.

2. In combination with a house, the house that includes: at least one telephone line, a telephone jack connected to the telephone line, a telephone connected to the telephone lines and having an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone, a telephone system of door bell response, characterized in that it includes: (a) a first auxiliary unit that includes: (i) an auxiliary door bell button, (ii) a high voice, (iii) a microphone, (iv) a means dialing enabled by a user to initiate dialing the telephone number, and (v) a first transmitting means for transmitting and receiving signals; (b) providing a second auxiliary unit including: (i) a means for connecting the second unit to receive electric power, (ii) a connector for connecting the second unit to the telephone outlet to allow a person to communicate via the microphone and the loudspeaker with another person speaking on the telephone line, (iii) a means to eliminate for a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is pressed the dial tone of the telephone line - so that a person can use the microphone and the speaker to talk on the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the house, (iv) means for dialing a number when the marking means is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the assigned telephone number, and (v) a second transmitting means for sending and receiving signals to and from the first transmitter, ( c) means mounted on at least one of the first auxiliary unit and the second auxiliary unit, for (i) eliminating for a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is pressed the dial tone on the telephone line of so that a person can use the microphone and loudspeaker to talk over the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the home, and (ii) dial a number when the dialing medium is acquired by a user to initiate the dialing of the assigned telephone number;

3. In combination with a house, the house that includes: at least one telephone line, a telephone jack connected to the telephone line, a telephone connected to the telephone lines and having an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone, a telephone system of door bell response characterized in that it includes: (a) a door bell button; (b) a loud voice; (c) a microphone; (d) a dialing means activated by a user to initiate dialing of the telephone number; (e) a connecting means for connecting the loudspeaker and the microphone to the telephone line to allow a person to communicate via the microphone and loudspeaker with another person speaking on the telephone line; (f) means for eliminating for a selected period of time after the doorbell button is pressed the dial tone of the telephone line so that a person can use the microphone and the loudspeaker to converse on the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the house; and (g) a means for dialing a number when the dialing means is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the selected telephone number.

4. In combination with a dwelling, the dwelling house that includes: at least one telephone line that has a selected current of at least about 2 amperes, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and that has an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone , a doorbell response system, characterized in that it includes: (a) an auxiliary unit that includes: (i) an auxiliary door bell button, (ü) a high voice, (iii) a microphone, (iv) a dialing means activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a telephone number, and (v) a connecting means for connecting the auxiliary unit to the telephone line to allow a person to communicate via the microphone on the loudspeaker with another person who talk about the telephone line; (vi) a means to eliminate during a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is pressed the dial tone of the telephone line so that the person can use the microphone and the loudspeaker to converse on the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the home, and (vii) a means for dialing a number when the dialing means is activated by a user to initiate dialing of the selected telephone number; (b) a battery to provide power to at least one of the auxiliary unit and the telephone; and (c) means for connecting the telephone line to the battery such that the telephone line provides a slow charge for the battery,

5. In combination with a dwelling, the dwelling house that includes: at least one telephone line having a selected current of at least about 2 amperes; and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone, a doorbell response system characterized in that it includes: (a) a doorbell button; (b) a doorbell button that is pressed to activate the doorbell; (c) a loudspeaker (d) a microphone (e) a marking means activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a telephone number; (f) means for connecting the loudspeaker and the microphone to the telephone line to allow a person to communicate via the microphone and the loudspeaker with another person speaking on the telephone line; (g) means for eliminating for a selected period of time after the telephone bell button is pressed the dial tone on the telephone line so that a person can use the microphone and the speaker to converse on the telephone line using the telephone in the house; and (h) a means for dialing the number when the dialing means is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a selected telephone number; (i) a battery to provide power to at least one of the door bell button, and the door bell, and the telephone; and (j) a means for connecting the telephone line to the battery such that the telephone line provides a slow charge for the battery.

6. In combination with a house, the house that includes: a telephone line of POTS that have a selected current of at least about two amps, and a telephone connected to the telephone line and that has the assigned telephone number used to call the telephone , a doorbell response system that includes: (a) a doorbell; (b) a doorbell button that is pressed to activate the doorbell; (c) a means for generating a video signal; (d) a modulation means connected to the telephone line to receive the video signal and to receive an audio signal from the telephone for simultaneous modulation and transmission on the telephone line.

7. In combination with a room house that includes: a POTS telephone line that has a selected current of at least about 2 peres; and a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone, a visitor response system that includes: (a) a response mode that includes at least one of the group consisting of a ring of door, a video camera, a motion detector, a means of alarm, a means of communicating with the telephone from outside the house; (b) a battery to provide a response; and (c) means for connecting the telephone line to the battery such that the telephone line provides a slow charge for the battery.

8. In combination with a house, the house that includes: a telephone line, a telephone connected to the telephone line that has an assigned telephone number used to call the telephone; and a pair of wires for a doorbell, the wires having a selected current of at least about 2 amps and providing a voltage in the range of about eight and twenty-four volts, a visitor response system, characterized in that it includes: (a) a response means including at least one of the group consisting of a doorbell, a video camera, a motion detector, an alarm means, a means of communicating with the telephone from outside the house room; (b) a battery to provide power for the response means; (c) a means for connecting wires to the battery such that the wires provide a slow charge for the battery.