US3590161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone line monitoring system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-14
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Initiation of a telephone call on a monitored line closes a relay which registers, and optionally makes a record of, total time of line use. A secondary relay is also closed. After a regulated period of time, this feeds periodic audible signals into the telephone line and visually signals the local operator to indicate that the usage exceeds the predetermined norm. After these signals have been given for a predetermined period, the operator is again notified and the call may either be automatically or manually terminated. In any event, a record is made for the benefit of management to show the extension through which the overtime call was handled.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert A Jacobs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An extension telephone line monitoring system which includes a substation relay in the monitored line actuated by use of said relay operated by said substation relay for signalling to a user of the line the expiration of a time-controlled relay an initial period of line usage, means for recording the period of extended use of the line beyond the expiration of said initial period and means for recording the total period of line use and also recording the total of periods of extended use of the line beyond the said initial period of use thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An extension telephone line monitoring system which includes a substation relay in the monitored line actuated by use of said relay operated by said substation relay for signalling to a user of the line the expiration of a time-controlled relay an initial period of line usage, means for recording the period of extended use of the line beyond the expiration of said initial period and means for recording the total period of line use and also recording the total of periods of extended use of the line beyond the said initial period of use thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
A telephone line monitoring system in which an extension line controlled by an operator includes a relay at the substation station and operated by use of said extension, and means at the subscriber''s station successively actuated from said relay for feeding an audible signal into said line during a grace period after a predetermined period of free use thereof; means for subsequently indicating the expiration of the grace period during which said audible signal has been fed into said line; and means for separately recording the total of periods of use of said line and the respective periods for which the line is used following the expiration of respective periods of free use thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
A telephone line monitoring system in which an extension line controlled by an operator includes a relay at the substation station and operated by use of said extension, and means at the subscriber''s station successively actuated from said relay for feeding an audible signal into said line during a grace period after a predetermined period of free use thereof; means for subsequently indicating the expiration of the grace period during which said audible signal has been fed into said line; and means for separately recording the total of periods of use of said line and the respective periods for which the line is used following the expiration of respective periods of free use thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A monitoring system according to claim 2 including means for signalling to the operator controlling the line, first, that the line has been placed in use, second, that a period of free use has expired, and third, the fact that a predetermined grace period has expired.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A line monitoring system according to claim 2 in which the operator in charge of said line is provided with means for cancelling signals as to grace period of use, and signals as to continued use following expiration of the grace period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A telephone line-monitoring system according to claim 3 in which there is an audible signal generator and said means includes a time delay relay having a controller for adjusting the period of time delay and having contacts which, upon closing, effect delivery of an audible signal from said generator into the line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A telephone line-monitoring system according to claim 5 in which said means further includes a second time delay relay having control means for adjusting the time required for its response, a signalling device including a circuit for which said second timE delay relay has circuit closing contacts, and a third time delay relay including flashing means for said signalling device for indicating the expiration of a given period for which the signalling device has been operative.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2073756A
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US2094060A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |