US3867585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic tone ringer
Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-08-02
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-08-02
Abstract
Abstract An electronic tone ringer for use in telephone subsets. Operating in response to and powered from incoming received ringing signals, the ringer circuitry provides audible multitone signals. The frequency of the output signals and the shift rate between frequencies are both independent of the incoming ringing signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A Morstadt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; H04M19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A tone ringer for use in a telephone subset connected to a telephone line, comprising: a rectifier circuit connected to said telephone line, operated in response to ringing signals received over said telephone line, to convert said ringing signals to direct current potential; a first oscillator circuit connected to said rectifier, and including a plurality of frequency determining components, operated in response to said d.c. potential from said rectifier to generate tone signals at a first frequency; a second oscillator circuit connected to said rectifier circuit and including a circuit connection to said first oscillator circuit, operated in response to said d.c. potential from said rectifier to periodically shunt at least one of said plurality of frequency determining components in said first oscillator; said first oscillator further operated in response to each shunting of at least one of said frequency determining components, to generate a tone at a second frequency; and a transducer connected to said first oscillator operated in response to generation by said first oscillator of tones of said first and second frequencies to audibly reproduce said tones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A tone ringer for use in a telephone subset connected to a telephone line, comprising: a rectifier circuit connected to said telephone line, operated in response to ringing signals received over said telephone line, to convert said ringing signals to direct current potential; a first oscillator circuit connected to said rectifier, and including a plurality of frequency determining components, operated in response to said d.c. potential from said rectifier to generate tone signals at a first frequency; a second oscillator circuit connected to said rectifier circuit and including a circuit connection to said first oscillator circuit, operated in response to said d.c. potential from said rectifier to periodically shunt at least one of said plurality of frequency determining components in said first oscillator; said first oscillator further operated in response to each shunting of at least one of said frequency determining components, to generate a tone at a second frequency; and a transducer connected to said first oscillator operated in response to generation by said first oscillator of tones of said first and second frequencies to audibly reproduce said tones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tone ringer as claimed in claim 1 wherein: there is further included a threshold detector connected between said rectifier and said first and second oscillators; operated in response to said d.c. potential from said rectifier being less than a predetermined value to inhibit the operation of said oscillators.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tone ringer as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said threshold detector is further operated in response to said d.c. potential from said rectifier being of at least a predetermined value to permit operation of said oscillators.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tone ringer as claimed in claim 1 wherein: there is further included an amplifier circuit connected between said first oscillator and said transducer, operated to amplify said tones of said first and second frequencies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tone ringer as claimed in claim 4 wherein: there is further included a regulator circuit connected to a junction between said rectifier circuit and said first oscillator and said second oscillator, said regulator operated to maintain the magnitude of said d.c. potential at a constant level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tone ringer as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said amplifier and transducer are connected to said regulator, and in response to said constant magnitude d.c. potential said amplifier and transducer are operated to amplify and reproduce said signals at a constant maximum amplitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tone ringer as claimed in claim 5 wherein: there is further included a potentiometer connected to said regulator circuit, manually adjustable to control the level of magnitude of said d.c. potential.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tone ringer as claimed in claim 1 wherein: there is further included a capacitor connected in parallel with said transducer, operated in combination with said transducer to accentuate said signals reproduced by said transducer.
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) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |