US3863029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape position indicator means for telephone answering apparatus
Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-08-03
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1993-08-03
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for visually observing the position of a tape on automatic telephone answering apparatus after the apparatus has been accessed with a remotely located control unit, by transmitting a tone of varying frequency depending on the position of the tape. The tone is produced by a tone oscillator tuned by an external variable capacitor mechanically coupled to the tape reel to be monitored. The rotation of the variable capacitor is geared down from that of the tape reel so that the variable capacitor will rotate a relatively small amount as the tape reel continues to rotate. Accordingly, for any position of the tape, there is a corresponding position for the rotor plates of the variable capacitor and a corresponding output frequency from the tone generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J Zimmermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:16
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/34; H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/6515
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In telephone answering apparatus coupled to a telephone line and including a recorder having a tape for recording messages from the telephone line and a reproducer to transmit the recorded messages to the telephone line, said tape being stored on tape reels, comprising a tone generator including means for varying the frequency of the output tone signals thereof coupled to said telephone line, said means for varying the frequency of the output tone signals of said tone generator being coupled to and operated by the rotation of one of said tape reels, a remotely located control unit including circuit means responsive to said tone signals, said circuit means being broadly tuned to a point slightly above the highest frequency tone signal provided by said tone generator and providing voltage outputs corresponding to the frequencies of said tone signals coupled thereto, and a meter coupled to said circuit means calibrated in accordance with said voltage outputs to provide a visual indication of the position of said tape on said tape reels on said telephone answering apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In telephone answering apparatus coupled to a telephone line and including a recorder having a tape for recording messages from the telephone line and a reproducer to transmit the recorded messages to the telephone line, said tape being stored on tape reels, comprising a tone generator including means for varying the frequency of the output tone signals thereof coupled to said telephone line, said means for varying the frequency of the output tone signals of said tone generator being coupled to and operated by the rotation of one of said tape reels, a remotely located control unit including circuit means responsive to said tone signals, said circuit means being broadly tuned to a point slightly above the highest frequency tone signal provided by said tone generator and providing voltage outputs corresponding to the frequencies of said tone signals coupled thereto, and a meter coupled to said circuit means calibrated in accordance with said voltage outputs to provide a visual indication of the position of said tape on said tape reels on said telephone answering apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
In telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for varying the frequency of the output tone signals of said tone generator comprises an external variable capacitor, said variable capacitor being coupled to and the capacitance thereof being varied by the rotation of said one tape reel to vary the frequency of said tone generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
In telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including reduction means included in the coupling between said tape reel and said variable capacitor, whereby any considerable movement of said tape reel results in a slight detuning of said variable capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
In telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for varying the frequency of the output tone signals of said tone generator comprises a slug tuner on the oscillator coil thereof, said slug tuner being coupled to and operated by the rotation of said tape reel to vary the frequency of said tone generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
In telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remotely located control unit further includes amplifier means for amplifying the tone signals coupled thereto and level control meAns for providing a constant level signal to said circuit 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) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |