US3794774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone audio program system
Assignee: COURTESY COMMUNICATIONS CORP
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Filing: 1973-01-19
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1993-01-19
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a system for selectively applying an audio program to incoming telephone lines placed in hold conditions. The system is connected to the exterior cord of a conventional telephone set having a hold switch and a plurality of line switches operable between two positions to open and close the telephone lines. The line switches also have a plurality of illumination modes representative of different operational modes. The system includes a first electronic switch operable to be energized in response to the illumination mode of one of the lines which is representative of a line in use or which is representative of a line placed in the hold condition. A second electronic switch is operable to be energized in response to the placing of the line switch in the up position indicative that the incoming telephone line is open. A relay is operable only when the first and second electronic switches are energized in order to apply an audio program to the incoming telephone line associated with the line switch. The person making the incoming telephone call is thus provided with an audio program such as music or the like during the time the incoming line is placed on hold.
Inventors
- 👤 R Kemmerly
- 👤 G Kaner
- 👤 G Merritt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/428; H04M3/4285; H04Q; H04Q3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An audio program system for use with a telephone having a holding switch for disconnecting a telephone receiver from an incoming line and for connecting the incoming line to a holding circuit comprising: means connected to the telephone line exterior of said telephone for sensing electrical conditions indicative of the connection of the incoming line to a holding circuit, and means responsive to said sensing means for connecting a source of an audio program to said incoming line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An audio program system for use with a telephone having a holding switch for disconnecting a telephone receiver from an incoming line and for connecting the incoming line to a holding circuit comprising: means connected to the telephone line exterior of said telephone for sensing electrical conditions indicative of the connection of the incoming line to a holding circuit, and means responsive to said sensing means for connecting a source of an audio program to said incoming line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The audio program system of claim 1 wherein said electrical conditions comprise: electrical signals indicative of a 90 percent on flashing signal and electrical signals indicative of whether the incoming line is open or closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The audio Program system of claim 1 wherein said source of an audio program comprises a radio receiver.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
71 words
A system for applying an audio program on an incoming telephone line connected to a telephone set having flashing line switches for indicating a hold condition comprising: means for detecting an electrical condition of one of said line switches indicating a flashing mode when said incoming telephone line is placed in a hold condition, and means responsive to said detecting means for applying an audio program to said incoming telephone line.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
71 words
A system for applying an audio program on an incoming telephone line connected to a telephone set having flashing line switches for indicating a hold condition comprising: means for detecting an electrical condition of one of said line switches indicating a flashing mode when said incoming telephone line is placed in a hold condition, and means responsive to said detecting means for applying an audio program to said incoming telephone line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said detecting means further detects the position of said switch when said incoming telephone line is open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 4 and further comprising: a source of an audio program, and relay means operable in response to said detecting means for connecting the audio program to said incoming telephone line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said system is interconnected in the exterior cord of said telephone set, and wherein said system derives its power from said exterior cord.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a system for applying an audio program to incoming telephone lines connected to a telephone set having line switches each operable between two positions to open and close the lines and each having a plurality of illumination modes representative of different operational states, the combination comprising: means for generating a first signal upon the detection of an electrical condition of a line switch representative of said line in use or of a line placed in a hold condition, means for generating a second signal upon the detection of the position of a line switch when a corresponding line is open, means responsive to said first and second signals for generating a control signal, and means operable by said control signal for applying an audio program to the line placed in a hold condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a system for applying an audio program to incoming telephone lines connected to a telephone set having line switches each operable between two positions to open and close the lines and each having a plurality of illumination modes representative of different operational states, the combination comprising: means for generating a first signal upon the detection of an electrical condition of a line switch representative of said line in use or of a line placed in a hold condition, means for generating a second signal upon the detection of the position of a line switch when a corresponding line is open, means responsive to said first and second signals for generating a control signal, and means operable by said control signal for applying an audio program to the line placed in a hold condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said means for generating said first signal detects the voltage applied to illuminate said line switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said means for generating comprises: a capacitor for storing said voltages, and a unijunction transistor connected to said capacitor and operable in response to a predetermined voltage across said capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said means for generating said second signal comprises a unijunction transistor connected to generate said second signal when said line switch is in the up position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a system for applying an audio program on an incoming telephone line connected to a telephone set having at least one visually illuminated line switch for indicating various operational conditions, the combination comprising: means for detecting an electrical condition of said switch indicative that said incoming telephone line is in a hold condition and for detecting the continuously illuminated condition of said switch indicative that said incoming telephone line is closed and is being used, means for detecting the up position of said switch indicative that said incoming telephone line is open, and means operable upon concurrent detection by both said means for applying an audio program to said incoming telephone line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a system for applying an audio program on an incoming telephone line connected to a telephone set having at least one visually illuminated line switch for indicating various operational conditions, the combination comprising: means for detecting an electrical condition of said switch indicative that said incoming telephone line is in a hold condition and for detecting the continuously illuminated condition of said switch indicative that said incoming telephone line is closed and is being used, means for detecting the up position of said switch indicative that said incoming telephone line is open, and means operable upon concurrent detection by both said means for applying an audio program to said incoming telephone line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of Claim 12 wherein said means for detecting comprise: semiconductor switches connected to receive voltages from the exterior cord to said telephone set.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of Claim 13 and further comprising: relay means connected to said incoming telephone line and operable only when each of said semiconductor switches are energized, and a source of an audio program connected to said relay means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a system for applying an audio program to incoming telephone lines connected to a telephone set having a plurality of line switches operable between two positions to open and close the telephone lines and having a plurality of illumination modes representative of different opeRational modes, the combination comprising: a first electronic switch connected to the exterior cord of said telephone set and operable to be switched on in response to the illumination modes of one of said line switches representative of a line in use or representative of a line placed in the hold condition, a second electronic switch connected to said exterior cord and operable to be switched on in response to the placing of said one of said line switches in the up position, and relay means operable only when said first and second electronic switches are switched on to apply an audio program to the incoming telephone line associated with said one of said line switches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a system for applying an audio program to incoming telephone lines connected to a telephone set having a plurality of line switches operable between two positions to open and close the telephone lines and having a plurality of illumination modes representative of different opeRational modes, the combination comprising: a first electronic switch connected to the exterior cord of said telephone set and operable to be switched on in response to the illumination modes of one of said line switches representative of a line in use or representative of a line placed in the hold condition, a second electronic switch connected to said exterior cord and operable to be switched on in response to the placing of said one of said line switches in the up position, and relay means operable only when said first and second electronic switches are switched on to apply an audio program to the incoming telephone line associated with said one of said line switches.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of Claim 15 wherein said first and second electronic switches comprise unijunction transistors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of Claim 15 and further comprising: capacitor means connected across said first electronic switch for storing voltage representative of the illumination of said one of said line switches.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of Claim 15 and further comprising: oscillator means including said second electronic switch and operable when said second electronic switch senses the placing of said one of said line switches in the up position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of Claim 15 and further comprising: an isolation transformer connected between said second electronic switch and said relay means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3246082A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |