Patent US3665111A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3665111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone use monitor and signalling apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-08-13
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A monitor and signalling apparatus for a telephone set having illuminable line-selector buttons or indicator lights, or a switchboard equipped with indicator lights. The apparatus includes an electrical circuit and signalling mechanism independent of a telephone set and having photo-responsive cell for responding to illumination of a line-selector button for a specific line. Absence of illumination results in activation of the signalling mechanism thereby advising of that line''s availability for use.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren J Schieser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A telephone-use monitor and signalling apparatus comprising A. an electrical control circuit having output means and provided with telephone-use responsive means interconnected in circuit therewith and being positionable in operatively coupled relationship to a telephone, said circuit responding to non-use of the telephone as sensed by said use responsive means to cause said output means to form an output signal, B. a signalling mechanism selectively operable to provide an aural signal coupled with said control circuit to receive a signal formed by said output means, said signalling mechanism responding to a received output signal to provide an aural signal, and C. telephone circuit securing means comprising a lever mechanism positionable in mechanically coupled relationship to the receiver-transmitter of the telephone and an electric solenoid mechanically coupled with said lever mechanism and operable when energized to actuate said lever mechanism in lifting the receiver-transmitter to sEcure the circuit, said control circuit output means connected in circuit with said solenoid for energization thereof in response to sensing of non-use of the telephone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A telephone-use monitor and signalling apparatus comprising A. an electrical control circuit having output means and provided with telephone-use responsive means interconnected in circuit therewith and being positionable in operatively coupled relationship to a telephone, said circuit responding to non-use of the telephone as sensed by said use responsive means to cause said output means to form an output signal, B. a signalling mechanism selectively operable to provide an aural signal coupled with said control circuit to receive a signal formed by said output means, said signalling mechanism responding to a received output signal to provide an aural signal, and C. telephone circuit securing means comprising a lever mechanism positionable in mechanically coupled relationship to the receiver-transmitter of the telephone and an electric solenoid mechanically coupled with said lever mechanism and operable when energized to actuate said lever mechanism in lifting the receiver-transmitter to sEcure the circuit, said control circuit output means connected in circuit with said solenoid for energization thereof in response to sensing of non-use of the telephone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a second, electrically energizable signalling mechanism positioned relatively remote to the telephone, said second signalling mechanism connected in shunt relationship to said solenoid for energization simultaneously therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
170 words
A telephone-use monitor and signalling apparatus comprising A. an electrical control circuit having output means and provided with telephone-use responsive means interconnected in circuit therewith and being positionable in operatively coupled relationship to a telephone, said telephone-use responsive means comprising a housing of opaque material having a base surface adapted to rest on a surface of the telephone in overlying relationship to a line-selector button thereof and having a recess formed therein to receive the line-selector button, a cavity formed in said housing and a photo-responsive device disposed in said cavity to be in optically coupled relationship to a line-selector button projecting into said recess, said circuit responding to non-use of the telephone as sensed by said use responsive means to cause said output means to form an output signal, and B. a signalling mechanism selectively operable to provide an aural signal coupled with said control circuit to receive a signal formed by said output means, said signalling mechanism responding to a received output signal to provide an aural signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
A telephone-use monitor and signalling apparatus comprising A. an electrical control circuit having output means and provided with telephone-use responsive means interconnected in circuit therewith and being positionable in operatively coupled relationship to a telephone, said telephone-use responsive means comprising a housing of opaque material having a base surface adapted to rest on a surface of the telephone in overlying relationship to a line-selector button thereof and having a recess formed therein to receive the line-selector button, a cavity formed in said housing and a photo-responsive device disposed in said cavity to be in optically coupled relationship to a line-selector button projecting into said recess, said circuit responding to non-use of the telephone as sensed by said use responsive means to cause said output means to form an output signal, and B. a signalling mechanism selectively operable to provide an aural signal coupled with said control circuit to receive a signal formed by said output means, said signalling mechanism responding to a received output signal to provide an aural signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said telephone-use responsive means includes a photo-responsive device positionable in optically coupled relationship to an illuminable line indicator of the telephone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control circuit output means includes switch means connected in series circuit with said signalling mechanism, said switch means operating in response to sensing of non-use of the telephone circuit to permit actuation of said signalling mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said switch means includes an electromagnetic relay having an operating coil connected in said control circuit and a set of contacts connected in series circuit with said signalling mechanism, said operating coil being energized in response to sensing of non-use of the telephone to operate said contacts to permit actuation of said signalling mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 which includes time-controlled switch means series connected with said switch means and said signalling mechanism, said time-controlled switch means operable to complete an electrical circuit to said signalling mechanism for only a predetermined time interval of a selected time base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said housing is provided with an elongated plunger supported for axial movement in coaxial relationship to a line-selector button received within said recess to permit actuation of the line-selector button through manipulation of said plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said recess only opens at said base surface of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said recess is formed with a surface which is in close proximate relationship to a surface of a line-selector button received with said recess, said cavity opening at said recess surface to limit incidence of ambient light at said photo-responsive device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
154 words
A telephone-use monitor and signalling apparatus comprising A. an electrical control circuit having output means and provided with telephone-use responsive means interconnected in circuit therewith and being positionable in operatively coupled relationship to a telephone, said telephone-use responsive means comprising a housing of opaque material having a bracket secured thereto for attaching said housing to the telephone, a cavity formed in said housing and a photo-responsive device disposed in saiD cavity to be in optically coupled relationship to a line-selector button when said housing is attached to a telephone, said circuit responding to non-use of the telephone as sensed by said use responsive means to cause said output means to form an output signal, and B. a signalling mechanism selectively operable to provide an aural signal coupled with said control circuit to receive a signal formed by said output means, said signalling mechanism responding to a received output signal to provide an aural signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
A telephone-use monitor and signalling apparatus comprising A. an electrical control circuit having output means and provided with telephone-use responsive means interconnected in circuit therewith and being positionable in operatively coupled relationship to a telephone, said telephone-use responsive means comprising a housing of opaque material having a bracket secured thereto for attaching said housing to the telephone, a cavity formed in said housing and a photo-responsive device disposed in saiD cavity to be in optically coupled relationship to a line-selector button when said housing is attached to a telephone, said circuit responding to non-use of the telephone as sensed by said use responsive means to cause said output means to form an output signal, and B. a signalling mechanism selectively operable to provide an aural signal coupled with said control circuit to receive a signal formed by said output means, said signalling mechanism responding to a received output signal to provide an aural signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said photo-responsive device has a receptor surface that is disposed a substantial distance inwardly of an outer terminal end of said cavity to limit incidence of ambient light at said receptor surface.
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) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |