US3876836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control system utilizing telephone rings as orders
Assignee: JM Huber Corp
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Filing: 1974-04-03
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-04-03
Abstract
Abstract Telephone ringing at a remote location is monitored. Counters register one or two rings, as desired. The first ring sets up a gate-inhibiting period and the second ring extends that period. A count of one is applied to means for energizing an outlet or turning on an appliance. A count of two is supplied to means for deenergizing the outlet or turning off the appliance. The counters are reset at the end of the gate-inhibiting period, as originally established or extended. Supplemental resetting means becomes effective so as to render the system nonresponsive to rings in excess of two.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion J Langan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
305 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to rings monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: means responsive to each ring for producing a signal, a first counter for registering and storing at the called location a single count corresponding to one signal, a second counter for registering and storing at the called location two counts corresponding to two signals, a first gate coupled to the first counter and adapted to be enabled to pass a single count out of the first counter for the performance of a control effect, a second gate coupled to the second counter and adapted to be enabled to pass the count of two out of the second counter for the performance of a different control effect, delay circuit means responsive to each signal for inhibiting the first and second gates for predetermined periods so that each count is passed after a delay following its registry, means including a third gate and responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the counters, supplemental means responsive to the completion of a count of three for resetting the counters and holding them in reset condition, and means including a first binary device having an output for coupling or uncoupling an outlet to a source of energy, said first and second gates being coupled to said binary device and individually operative to change its state so that one of said control effects is the coupling and the other of said control effects is the uncoupling, said supplemental means comprising a fourth gate coupled to both of said counters, and a second binary device adapted to set from the fourth gate and to be reset by the means responsive to the cessation of inhibiting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
305 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to rings monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: means responsive to each ring for producing a signal, a first counter for registering and storing at the called location a single count corresponding to one signal, a second counter for registering and storing at the called location two counts corresponding to two signals, a first gate coupled to the first counter and adapted to be enabled to pass a single count out of the first counter for the performance of a control effect, a second gate coupled to the second counter and adapted to be enabled to pass the count of two out of the second counter for the performance of a different control effect, delay circuit means responsive to each signal for inhibiting the first and second gates for predetermined periods so that each count is passed after a delay following its registry, means including a third gate and responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the counters, supplemental means responsive to the completion of a count of three for resetting the counters and holding them in reset condition, and means including a first binary device having an output for coupling or uncoupling an outlet to a source of energy, said first and second gates being coupled to said binary device and individually operative to change its state so that one of said control effects is the coupling and the other of said control effects is the uncoupling, said supplemental means comprising a fourth gate coupled to both of said counters, and a second binary device adapted to set from the fourth gate and to be reset by the means responsive to the cessation of inhibiting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to a ring monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: means responsive to a ring for producing a signal, means for registering and storing at the called location a count corresponding to said signal, a gate coupled to said counter and adapted to be enabled to pass the stored count for the performance of a control effect, delay circuit means responsive to said signal for inhibiting said gate for a predetermined period, and means responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the registering and storing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to a ring monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: means responsive to a ring for producing a signal, means for registering and storing at the called location a count corresponding to said signal, a gate coupled to said counter and adapted to be enabled to pass the stored count for the performance of a control effect, delay circuit means responsive to said signal for inhibiting said gate for a predetermined period, and means responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the registering and storing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to rings monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: a first multivibrator responsive to each ring for producing a signal, a first counter for registering and storing at the called location a single count corresponding to one signal, a second counter for registering and storing at the called location two counts corresponding to two signals, a first NAND gate adapted to be enabled to pass a single count from the first counter for the performance of a control effect, a second NAND gate adapted to be enabled to pass the count of two from the second counter for the performance of a different control effect, a second multivibrator responsive to each signal for inhibiting the first and second gates for predetermined periods, means responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the counters, and means including a third NAND gate and a binary device and responsive to the completion of a count of three for resetting the counters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to rings monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: a first multivibrator responsive to each ring for producing a signal, a first counter for registering and storing at the called location a single count corresponding to one signal, a second counter for registering and storing at the called location two counts corresponding to two signals, a first NAND gate adapted to be enabled to pass a single count from the first counter for the performance of a control effect, a second NAND gate adapted to be enabled to pass the count of two from the second counter for the performance of a different control effect, a second multivibrator responsive to each signal for inhibiting the first and second gates for predetermined periods, means responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the counters, and means including a third NAND gate and a binary device and responsive to the completion of a count of three for resetting the counters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
196 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to rings monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: means responsive to each ring for producing a signal, a first counter for registering and storing at the called location a single count corresponding to one signal, a second counter for registering and storing at the called location two counts corresponding to two signals, a first binary device having two states for performing distinct control effects, a first gate adapted to be enabled to pass a single count to put said first binary device in one state, a second gate adapted to be enabled to pass the count of two to put said binary device in its other state, delay circuit means responsive to each signal for inhibiting the first and second gates for predetermined periods, means including a third gate and responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the counters, and supplemental means, including a fourth gate and a second binary device, and responsive to the completion of a count of three for assuring resetting of the counters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
196 words
In a telephone system of the type which comprises a calling telephone and a called telephone, a combination for performing functions at the called telephone location in response to rings monitored at the calling telephone, comprising: means responsive to each ring for producing a signal, a first counter for registering and storing at the called location a single count corresponding to one signal, a second counter for registering and storing at the called location two counts corresponding to two signals, a first binary device having two states for performing distinct control effects, a first gate adapted to be enabled to pass a single count to put said first binary device in one state, a second gate adapted to be enabled to pass the count of two to put said binary device in its other state, delay circuit means responsive to each signal for inhibiting the first and second gates for predetermined periods, means including a third gate and responsive to the cessation of inhibiting for resetting the counters, and supplemental means, including a fourth gate and a second binary device, and responsive to the completion of a count of three for assuring resetting of the counters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination in accordance with claim 4, and an electrical outlet, the control effects being the energizing and deenergizing of said outlet, said called station having an earphone, and means responsive to a control effect for lifting the receiver for a predetermined interval following said effect so that a call subsequent to the first call results in a busy signal.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |