Telephone conversion unit with multiple memory system

Claim 2

In a conventional telephone unit, a converter positioned therein in place of a rotary dialer unit for converting a keyboard coded telephone number to a serial pulse train corresponding to the type generated by said rotary dialer unit, said converter comprising: a. a keyboard switching means having at least ten keys for generating signals corresponding to each of said keys as said keys are depressed, b. an electrical encoder means for converting said signals into parallel four bit signals, each encoder signal uniquely identifying a depressed one of said ten keys, c. a dialer circuit means for converting said encoded signals to a serial pulse train corresponding to the respective keys depressed, d. a bridge rectifier for rectifying the telephone line current conducted to said telephone unit, e. means for generating a supply voltage for said converter, said voltage generating means including means for converting telephone line current coupled to said telephone unit to a voltage only when the hook switch of said telephone unit is closed, and voltage multiplying means for increasing said voltage to a preselected voltage level, f. a first switch for inhibiting current flow through said telephone unit when said dialer generates said pulse train, g. second switching means connected across said telephone unit for interrupting current flow in said telephone lines in accordance with said pulse train, and h. a support structure adapted for positioning in a standard telephone unit in place of a rotary dialer, said support structure supporting said converter in said telephone unit housing.

Claim 3

The telephone converter of claim 1 wherein said encoder generates a strobe pulse each time a key is depressed, and further comprising a tone generator for generating a tone signal and gating means connected to the output of said tone generator at the input thereof and to the input of a speaker in said telephone at the output thereof, said strobe pulse enabling said gating means when a key is depressed to thereby conduct said tone signal to said speaker to confirm a switching action upon the depression of one of said keys.

Claim 4

The telephone converter of claim 2 further comprising a memory means for storing at least ten telephone numbers therein, and a memory control means responsive to the depressing of a storage control key for enabling said memory to store a keyed telephone number or to read out a stored telephone number into said dialer unit.

Claim 5

The converter of claim 3 further comprising battery means for storing a portion of the telephone line current coupled to said telephone unit when said hook switch of said telephone unit is closed, said means including a zener diode connected in series with said telephone lines and in parallel with said battery, said zener diode causing a portion of said line current to be stored in said battery when the charge level of said battery goes below a predetermined level, said battery providing a power supply voltage to said converter.

Claim 6

The converter of claim 4 wherein said memory control means generates a first storage command signal for enabling said memory to store a keyed telephone number when said storage control key is continuously depressed and for inhibiting the operation of said dialer circuit means, said memory control means retrieving a stored telephone number when said storage control key is momentarily depressed.

Claim 7

In a conventional telephone unit having a hand set receiver removably positioned with respect thereto, a hook switch closable when said hand set receiver is removed from the telephone unit, and current conducting telephone lines for conducting bipolar information with respect to said telephone unit, a converter positioned therein in place of a rotary dialer unit for converting a keyboard coded telephone number to a serial pulse train corresponding to the type generated by said rotary dialer unit, said converter comprising: a keyboard switching means having at least ten keys for generating signals corresponding to each of said keys as said keys are depressed, an electrical encoder means for converting said signals into parallel four bit signals, each encoder signal uniquely identifying a depressed one of said ten keys, a dialer circuit means for converting said encoded signals to a serial pulse train corresponding to the respective keys depressed, a bridge rectifier for rectifying the telephone line current conducted to said phone unit, means for generating a supply voltage for said converter, said voltage generating means including means for converting telephone line current coupled to said telephone unit to a voltage only when the hook switch of said telephone unit is closed, and voltage adjusting means for increasing said voltage to a preselected voltage level, a first switch for inhibiting current flow through said telephone unit when said dialer generates said pulse train, second switching means connected across said telephone unit for interrupting current flow in said telephone lines in accordance with said pulse train, and a support structure adapted for positioning in a standard telephone unit in place of a rotary dialer, said support structure supporting said converter in said telephone unit housing.

Claim 8

In a conventional telephone unit having a hand set receiver removably positioned with respect thereto, a hook switch closable when said hand set receiver is removed from the telephone unit, and current conducting telephone lines for conducting bipolar information with respect to said telephone unit, a converter positioned therein in place of a rotary dialer unit for converting a keyboard coded telephone number to a serial pulse train corresponding to the type generated by said rotary dialer unit, said converter comprising: a keyboard switching means having at least ten keys for generating signals corresponding to each of said keys as said keys are depressed, an electrical encoder means for converting said signals into parallel four bit signals, each encoder signal uniquely identifying a depressed one of said ten keys, a dialer circuit means for converting said encoded signals to a serial pulse train corresponding to the respective keys depressed, a bridge rectifier for rectifying the telephone line current conducted to said phone unit, means for generating a supply voltage for said converter, said voltage generating means including means for converting telephone line current coupled to said telephone unit to a voltage only when the hook switch of said telephone unit is closed, and voltage adjusting means for increasing said voltage to a preselected voltage level, a first switch for inhibiting current flow through said telephone unit when said dialer generates said pulse train, second switching means connected across said telephone unit for interrupting current flow in said telephone lines in accordance with said pulse train, and a support structure adapted for positioning in a standard telephone unit in place of a rotary dialer, said support structure supporting said converter in said telephone unit housing.