Patent US3564148A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3564148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Switching system providing message-waiting and do-not-disturb signals on pbx telephone extensions
Assignee: U S Holding Co Inc
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Filing: 1968-08-19
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1988-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An automatic switching system is equipped to enable manual control of visual indicators at individual telephone extensions of a private branch telephone exchange. The system makes it possible for a switchboard operator to close switches to operate visual indicators at selected individual subscriber sets an thus to indicate that a message is waiting. The system makes it possible for the operator to set a do-not-disturb circuit in response to a request from a subscriber and to signal the subscriber that the request has been honored. The system also makes it possible for connections to be completed to and from the subscriber stations when the message waiting indicator is on. The system returns a busy signal when the do-not-disturb indicator is on. The system operates to restore indicator signals when such connections are terminated. The subscriber station is allowed to originate calls in the do-not-disturb condition but incoming calls are not allowed to ring the station in this condition. The operator has the option to override the do-not-disturb condition in an emergency without changing the state of said circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Otha C Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/60; H04M3/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for controlling visual indicators in individual telephone extensions of a private branch telephone exchange, comprising: an operator position; automatic switching apparatus coupled to said operator position; a plurality of telephone extension sets coupled to said automatic switching apparatus; a visual indicator lamp associated with each telephone extension set; control equipment associated with each extension set for control of the respective visual indicator; said control equipment including a relay for closing make contacts and completing a connection to a source of potential for operating said visual indicator; said automatic switching apparatus including means responsive to signals from said operator position to control the relay in said control equipment; and said automatic switching means including means for providing an indication to the operator position, responsive to the signals from said operator, that said visual indicator is functioning.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for controlling visual indicators in individual telephone extensions of a private branch telephone exchange, comprising: an operator position; automatic switching apparatus coupled to said operator position; a plurality of telephone extension sets coupled to said automatic switching apparatus; a visual indicator lamp associated with each telephone extension set; control equipment associated with each extension set for control of the respective visual indicator; said control equipment including a relay for closing make contacts and completing a connection to a source of potential for operating said visual indicator; said automatic switching apparatus including means responsive to signals from said operator position to control the relay in said control equipment; and said automatic switching means including means for providing an indication to the operator position, responsive to the signals from said operator, that said visual indicator is functioning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, in which: the operator position includes a do-not-disturb control, and said relay is made responsive through said automatic switching; apparatus, to operation of the do-not-disturb control, said relay serving to connect a source of steady state; and current to a visual indicator of a preselected telephone extension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, in which the operator position includes a message-waiting control, and said relay is made responsive, through said automatic switching apparatus, to operation of the message-waiting control to connect a source of interrupted DC signals to a visual indicator of a preselected telephone extension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, in which: means are provided to permit said relay to hold its make contacts while it completes a connection for speech between the telephone extension and the switchboard; and said relay reconnects the source of potential to the visual indicator when the speech connection is broken.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the automatic switching apparatus incorporates interrogating means for determining whether a signal to operate said visual indicator is being applied to a particular extension set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, in which: the interrogating means includes first and second polar relays connected in series between first and second sources of potential; said first source consisting of a fixed potential source; said second source comprising a potential dependent upon the status of operation of said relay for closing make contacts; operation of said first polar relay indicating that a signal of one polarity is being supplied to said relay; and operation of the second polar relay indicating that a signal of the opposite polarity is being supplied to said relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 6, in which a console lamp is coupled to a relay contact coNtrolled by the second polar relay to provide an indication on the console that a signal is being supplied to said relay.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for controlling visual indicators in individual telephone extensions of a private branch telephone exchange, comprising: an operator position; automatic switching apparatus coupled to said operator position; a plurality of telephone extension sets coupled to said automatic switching apparatus; a visual indicator lamp associated with each telephone extension set; control equipment associated with each extension set for control of the respective visual indicator; said control equipment including a relay for closing make contacts and completing a connection to a source of potential for operating said visual indicator; said automatic switching apparatus including means responsive to signals from said operator position to control the relay in said control equipment; and the automatic switching apparatus incorporating interrogating means for determining whether a signal to operate said visual indicator is being applied to a particular extension set.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for controlling visual indicators in individual telephone extensions of a private branch telephone exchange, comprising: an operator position; automatic switching apparatus coupled to said operator position; a plurality of telephone extension sets coupled to said automatic switching apparatus; a visual indicator lamp associated with each telephone extension set; control equipment associated with each extension set for control of the respective visual indicator; said control equipment including a relay for closing make contacts and completing a connection to a source of potential for operating said visual indicator; said automatic switching apparatus including means responsive to signals from said operator position to control the relay in said control equipment; and the automatic switching apparatus incorporating interrogating means for determining whether a signal to operate said visual indicator is being applied to a particular extension set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system as claimed in claim 8, in which: the interrogating means includes first and second polar relays connected in series between first and second sources of potential; said first source consisting of a fixed potential source; said second source comprising a potential dependent upon the status of operation of said relay for closing make contacts; operation of said first polar relay indicating that a signal of one polarity is being supplied to said relay; and operation of the second polar relay indicating that a signal of the opposite polarity is being supplied to said relay.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 9, in which a console lamp is coupled to a relay contact controlled by the second polar relay to provide an indication on the console that a signal is being supplied to said relay.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |