US3746790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic telephone interface device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-05-27
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A telephone interface device is provided for seizing and holding a telephone line after a predetermined ringing cycle duration while further controlling the duration of the line seizure to connect peripheral equipment devices to the telephone line, hold the line open to permit answering an incoming call without undue haste and to effect transmission of ambient sounds over the line to simulate inhabitation of the dwelling in which the receiver is located. A first relay responds to the ringing cycle to charge a storage device to a predetermined energy level that energizes a second relay through a solid state switch device, the latter being responsive to a lesser energy level to cause deactivation of the said second relay. The rate of charge and discharge of the storage device are selectively controlled to effect seizure and subsequent disconnection of the telephone line after selected intervals of line seizure. The second relay effects line seizure and peripheral equipment energization and the interfacing of the latter with said telephone line.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ault
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A telephone interface circuit for seizing and holding a telephone line in response to a ringing signal, selectively energizing and interfacing peripheral equipment with said line for a predetermined interval subsequent to seizure of the line, and terminating seizure of said line at the end of said interval comprising: a telephone line; first relay means interconnected with said line and actuated on alternate half cycles of a ringing signal thereon; a source of electrical energy; first storage means interconnected with said source in the absence of and during the other of said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal through said first relay means; time delay means including second storage means selectively interconnected with said first storage means on said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal by said first relay means to incrementally store a portion of said stored energy from said first storage means in said second storage means for a preselected number of said half cycles; second relay means; solid state means, interconnected with said time delay means and said second relay means, actuated in response to a predetermined energy level in said second storage means to connect said source with said second relay means to energize the latter; line seizing means selectively interconnected with said line by said second relay means; and peripheral equipment terminal means selectively interfaced with said telephone line and activated by said second relay means in response to said ringing signal for a time interval determined by said time delay means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A telephone interface circuit for seizing and holding a telephone line in response to a ringing signal, selectively energizing and interfacing peripheral equipment with said line for a predetermined interval subsequent to seizure of the line, and terminating seizure of said line at the end of said interval comprising: a telephone line; first relay means interconnected with said line and actuated on alternate half cycles of a ringing signal thereon; a source of electrical energy; first storage means interconnected with said source in the absence of and during the other of said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal through said first relay means; time delay means including second storage means selectively interconnected with said first storage means on said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal by said first relay means to incrementally store a portion of said stored energy from said first storage means in said second storage means for a preselected number of said half cycles; second relay means; solid state means, interconnected with said time delay means and said second relay means, actuated in response to a predetermined energy level in said second storage means to connect said source with said second relay means to energize the latter; line seizing means selectively interconnected with said line by said second relay means; and peripheral equipment terminal means selectively interfaced with said telephone line and activated by said second relay means in response to said ringing signal for a time interval determined by said time delay means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said second relay means includes an actuating coil; and wherein said solid state means comprises transistor means switching said coil in series with said source in response to a first energy level in said second storage means and disconnecting said coil from said source in response to a second energy level in said second storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said time delay means includes first control means controlling the rate of transfer of energy from said first to said second storage means and second control means controlling the rate of dissipation of stored energy in said second storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said time delay means includes first control means controlling the rate of transfer of energy from said first to said second storage means and second control means controlling the rate of dissipation of stored energy in said second storage means; wherein said second relay means includes an actuating coil; wherein said solid state means comprises transistor means switching said coil in series with said source in response to a first energy level in said second storage means and disconnecting said coil from said source in response to a second energy level in said second storage means; wherein said transistor means includes an input terminal; and wherein said second control means comprises circuit means conducting stored energy from said second storage means to said input terminal to effect a controlled dissipation of said stored energy through said transistor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
195 words
Means seizing a telephone line in response to a ringing signal of predetermined duration, comprising: relay means having an actuating coil means connected across a telephone line, said coil means being responsive to alternate half-cycles of a ringing signal on said line and an armature having first and second normally closed and a third normally open contact; a source of electrical energy having one side thereof connected with said first contact; first energy storage means connected from said second contact to the opposite side of said source; second storage means connected from said third contact means to the said opposite side of said source; circuit means responsive to a predetermined level of stored energy in said second storage means to effect a seizure of said telephone line; said second storage means including time delay means controlling the rate of input of energy thereto; and said second and third contacts being engaged on said alternate half-cycles of said ringing signal by said armature means to transfer a predetermined amount of energy from said first storage means into said second storage means on each said alternate half-cycle of said ringing signal until said predetermined level is achieved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
Means seizing a telephone line in response to a ringing signal of predetermined duration, comprising: relay means having an actuating coil means connected across a telephone line, said coil means being responsive to alternate half-cycles of a ringing signal on said line and an armature having first and second normally closed and a third normally open contact; a source of electrical energy having one side thereof connected with said first contact; first energy storage means connected from said second contact to the opposite side of said source; second storage means connected from said third contact means to the said opposite side of said source; circuit means responsive to a predetermined level of stored energy in said second storage means to effect a seizure of said telephone line; said second storage means including time delay means controlling the rate of input of energy thereto; and said second and third contacts being engaged on said alternate half-cycles of said ringing signal by said armature means to transfer a predetermined amount of energy from said first storage means into said second storage means on each said alternate half-cycle of said ringing signal until said predetermined level is achieved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said first storage means comprises a first capacitance; and wherein said second storage means comprises a second capacitance, said time delay means comprising a timing resistance in series with said second capacitance, said third contact and said other side of said source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
217 words
A telephone interface circuit for seizing and holding a telephone line in response to a ringing signal for a predetermined interval subsequent to seizure of the line, and terminating seizure of said line at the end of said interval comprising: a telephone line; first relay means interconnected with said line and actuated on alternate half cycles of a ringing signal thereon; a source of electrical energy; first storage means interconnected with said source in the absence of and during the other of said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal through said first relay means; time delay means including second storage means selectively interconnected with said first storage means on said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal by said first relay means to incrementally store a portion of said stored energy from said first storage means in said second storage means for a preselected number of said half cycles; second relay means; solid state means, interconnected with said time delay means and said second relay means, actuated in response to a predetermined energy level in said second storage means to connect said source with said second relay means to energize the latter; and line seizing means selectively interconnected with said line by said second relay means for a time interval determined by said time delay means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
217 words
A telephone interface circuit for seizing and holding a telephone line in response to a ringing signal for a predetermined interval subsequent to seizure of the line, and terminating seizure of said line at the end of said interval comprising: a telephone line; first relay means interconnected with said line and actuated on alternate half cycles of a ringing signal thereon; a source of electrical energy; first storage means interconnected with said source in the absence of and during the other of said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal through said first relay means; time delay means including second storage means selectively interconnected with said first storage means on said alternate half cycles of said ringing signal by said first relay means to incrementally store a portion of said stored energy from said first storage means in said second storage means for a preselected number of said half cycles; second relay means; solid state means, interconnected with said time delay means and said second relay means, actuated in response to a predetermined energy level in said second storage means to connect said source with said second relay means to energize the latter; and line seizing means selectively interconnected with said line by said second relay means for a time interval determined by said time delay means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said second relay means includes an actuating coil; and wherein said solid state means comprises transistor means switching said coil in series with said source in response to a first energy level in said second storage means and disconnecting said coil from said source in response to a second energy level in said second storage means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said time delay means includes first control means controlling the rate of transfer of energy from said first to said second storage means and second control means controlling the rate of dissipation of stored energy in said second storage means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said time delay means includes first control means controlling the rate of transfer of energy from said first to said second storage means and second control means controlling the rate of dissipation of stored energy in said second storage means; wherein said second relay means includes an actuating coil; wherein said solid state means comprises transistor means switching said coil in series with said source in response to a first energy level in said second storage means and disconnecting said coil from said source in response to a second energy level in said second storage means; wherein said transistor means includes an input terminal; and wherein said second control means comprises circuit means conducting stored energy from said second storage means to said input terminal to effect a controlled dissipation of said stored energy through said transistor means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |