Patent US3636259A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3636259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Answering time recorder for telephone apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-26
•
Granted: 1972-01-18
•
Expires: 1990-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A separate, independently controlled electronic timer is provided for each trunk in a trunk group to be monitored. Each timer develops an output pulse if an incoming call in the associated trunk is not answered within a predetermined answering interval. The output pulses of all of the timers are combined and supplied to a solenoid-operated counter which stores and indicates the total number of calls which are not answered within the predetermined interval. The pulses supplied to the counter may also be supplied to a set of print wheels under the control of a printout interval timer so that a permanent record in numerical form is made of the number of calls which exceed the predetermined answering interval during each printout interval. Lockout facilities are also provided for preventing the transmission of output pulses to the print wheels during the actual printing operation. Also, facilities are provided for terminating the printout interval only at a time when no output pulses are being transmitted to the print wheels.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest C Karras
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/36; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/51
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, said timing means comprising a capacitor, a silicon-controlled rectifier connected across said capacitor, means for rendering said rectifier conductive at a high frequency of occurrence when the associated trunk is idle, means responsive to an incoming call for holding said rectifier nonconductive, thereby to permit said capacitor to charge to a higher level than when the associated trunk is idle, means for resetting each timing means in the event the call on the associated trunk is idle, means for resetting each timing means in the event the call on the associated trunk is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse when said capacitor is charged to a predetermined level, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, and means for indicating the total number of output pulses collectively developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, said timing means comprising a capacitor, a silicon-controlled rectifier connected across said capacitor, means for rendering said rectifier conductive at a high frequency of occurrence when the associated trunk is idle, means responsive to an incoming call for holding said rectifier nonconductive, thereby to permit said capacitor to charge to a higher level than when the associated trunk is idle, means for resetting each timing means in the event the call on the associated trunk is idle, means for resetting each timing means in the event the call on the associated trunk is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse when said capacitor is charged to a predetermined level, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, and means for indicating the total number of output pulses collectively developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The arrangement set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided a unijunction transistor having the emitter thereof connected to the one terminal of said capacitor and one base thereof connected to the other terminal of said capacitor, and means for biasing the other base of said unijunction transistor so that said transistor conducts when said capacitor is charged to said predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided a flip-flop circuit, means responsive to an incoming call on the associated trunk for setting said flip-flop circuit to one conductive state, means responsive to the setting of said flip-flop for holding said rectifier nonconductive, and means responsive to said output pulse for resetting said flip-flop to its original conductive state, thereby to render said rectifier conductive and prevent the development of another output pulse in response to the continuation of said incoming call.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein there is provided a time delay network connected between said flip-flop circuit and said rectifier and arranged to delay the time at which said rectifier is rEndered conductive after discharge of said capacitor is initiated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means for developing output pulses in the event calls on any of said trunks are not answered within a predetermined answering time interval, means for storing said output pulses for a predetermined printout interval, and means operative at the end of said printout interval of producing a permanent record in numerical form of the number of said output pulses occurring in said printout interval and resetting said storage means for storage of said output pulses during the next printout interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means for developing output pulses in the event calls on any of said trunks are not answered within a predetermined answering time interval, means for storing said output pulses for a predetermined printout interval, and means operative at the end of said printout interval of producing a permanent record in numerical form of the number of said output pulses occurring in said printout interval and resetting said storage means for storage of said output pulses during the next printout interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein said recording means includes means for concurrently producing a permanent record in numerical form of the time at which said recorded printout interval is terminated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein there is provided means for varying the length of said printout interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The arrangements set forth in claim 5, wherein said plurality of lines are arranged in different groups and said recording means is arranged to print out separately the total number of said output pulses produced in each of said line groups at the end of said printout interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plurality of lines are arranged in different groups, said storage means is arranged to store separately the number of output pulses produced in each line group during said printout interval, and said recording means is arranged to make a separate record in numerical form of the total number of output pulse produced in each of said line groups at the end of said printout interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein there is provided means for automatically resetting said storage means to zero and reinitiating another printout interval each time said permanent record is made, whereby a continuous record is made of the number of output pulses occurring in connection with calls initiated on said lines during successive printout intervals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means for developing output pulses in the event calls on any one of said trunks are not answered within a predetermined answering time interval, means for storing said output pulses for a predetermined printout interval, said storage means comprising a series of print wheels which are moved one digit for each output pulse transmitted thereto, means operative at the end of said printout interval for producing a permanent record in numerical form of the number of said output pulses occurring in said printout interval, and means for terminating a printout interval only at a time when no output pulses are being transmitted to said print wheels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means for developing output pulses in the event calls on any one of said trunks are not answered within a predetermined answering time interval, means for storing said output pulses for a predetermined printout interval, said storage means comprising a series of print wheels which are moved one digit for each output pulse transmitted thereto, means operative at the end of said printout interval for producing a permanent record in numerical form of the number of said output pulses occurring in said printout interval, and means for terminating a printout interval only at a time when no output pulses are being transmitted to said print wheels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks arranged in different groups and adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means for developing output pulses in the event calls on any of said trunks are not answered within a predetermined answering time interval, means for separately storing the number of output pulses produced in each trunk group during a predetermined printout interval, said separate storing means each comprising a series of print wheels to which the corresponding output pulses are transmitted, means operative at the end of said printout interval for printing the position of each set of print wheels, and means for preventing the transmission of output pulses to said print wheels during printing of said print wheel positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks arranged in different groups and adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means for developing output pulses in the event calls on any of said trunks are not answered within a predetermined answering time interval, means for separately storing the number of output pulses produced in each trunk group during a predetermined printout interval, said separate storing means each comprising a series of print wheels to which the corresponding output pulses are transmitted, means operative at the end of said printout interval for printing the position of each set of print wheels, and means for preventing the transmission of output pulses to said print wheels during printing of said print wheel positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receiving incoming calls, a first set of interconnected digit wheels for storing and indicating in digital form the total number of calls initiated on said plurality of trunks, means for actuating said first set of wheels one least significant digit step in response to an incoming call on any one of said plurality of trunks, timing means individually assoCiated with each of said trunks, means individual to said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, a second set of interconnected digit wheels for storing and indicating in digital form the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for actuating said second set of wheels one least significant digit step in response to each of said output pulses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receiving incoming calls, a first set of interconnected digit wheels for storing and indicating in digital form the total number of calls initiated on said plurality of trunks, means for actuating said first set of wheels one least significant digit step in response to an incoming call on any one of said plurality of trunks, timing means individually assoCiated with each of said trunks, means individual to said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, a second set of interconnected digit wheels for storing and indicating in digital form the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for actuating said second set of wheels one least significant digit step in response to each of said output pulses.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means individual to each of said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for simultaneously varying said predetermined time interval for all of said timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means individual to each of said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for simultaneously varying said predetermined time interval for all of said timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means individual to each of said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for preventing false registration of calls by said indicating means in response to termination of a call on any one of said trunks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means individual to each of said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for preventing false registration of calls by said indicating means in response to termination of a call on any one of said trunks.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, a timing arrangement including timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means for starting the timing means associated with a particular trunk in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for simultaneously varying said predetermined time interval for all of said timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, a timing arrangement including timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means for starting the timing means associated with a particular trunk in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, and means for simultaneously varying said predetermined time interval for all of said timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, a timing arrangement including timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means for starting the timing means associated with a particular trunk in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, an answer time selector switch common to said plurality of trunks, and means controlled by said selector switch for varying said predetermined time interval for all of said timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, a timing arrangement including timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, means for starting the timing means associated with a particular trunk in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a predetermined time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks, an answer time selector switch common to said plurality of trunks, and means controlled by said selector switch for varying said predetermined time interval for all of said timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, and including a capacitor, and means for continuously charging and discharging said capacitor within predetermined upper and lower voltage limits, thereby to maintain a predetermined minimum charge on said capacitor during periods when the associated trunk is idle, means individual to each of said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, and means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks adapted to receive incoming calls, timing means individually associated with each of said trunks, and including a capacitor, and means for continuously charging and discharging said capacitor within predetermined upper and lower voltage limits, thereby to maintain a predetermined minimum charge on said capacitor during periods when the associated trunk is idle, means individual to each of said trunks for starting the associated timing means in response to a call incoming thereto, means for resetting said timing means in the event said call is answered within a time interval, means for developing an output pulse in the event said call is not answered within said predetermined time interval, means utilizing said output pulse to reset said timing means, and means for indicating the total number of output pulses developed by the timing means associated with said plurality of trunks.
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) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |