US4158112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hands-free answer arrangement on intercom for key telephone system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1978-04-27
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Granted: 1979-06-12
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Expires: 1998-04-27
Abstract
Abstract An intercom arrangement in a key telephone system is disclosed that permits the answering of intercom calls "hands-free" at a called station. Intercom calls are originated in the standard manner, with the calling party lifting the handset at a station and selecting an idle intercom line. After the calling party depresses a direct station selection button that corresponds to the called station, a hands-free answer unit located in the called station automatically connects to the proper intercom line and provides an alerting tone to both the calling and called station. The calling party is then able to converse with the called party by alternately activating a loudspeaker and a microphone contained in the called station.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph L. Cerbone
- 👤 Robert A. Lindsay
- 👤 John M. Noonan
- 👤 Martin G. Rudroff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M9/00; H04M9/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In a key telephone system having a plurality of stations, each station having means for connecting to one of a plurality of intercom lines and means for initiating telephone intercommunication with one of the other stations, a hands-free answer control circuit being associated with each one of the plurality of stations having hands-free answer capability characterized in that the hands-free answer circuit comprises: detection means responsive to the initiating means of an other station; means operable in response to the detection means for producing an out-of-band signal and applying it to the intercom lines one at a time, the signal being returned from the other station when applied to the intercom line to which the other station is connected; and means responsive to the return of the out-of-band signal for seizing the intercom line to which the signal is then applied and providing a call connection having hands-free answer capability.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a key telephone system having a plurality of stations, each station having means for connecting to one of a plurality of intercom lines and means for initiating telephone intercommunication with one of the other stations, a hands-free answer control circuit being associated with each one of the plurality of stations having hands-free answer capability characterized in that the hands-free answer circuit comprises: detection means responsive to the initiating means of an other station; means operable in response to the detection means for producing an out-of-band signal and applying it to the intercom lines one at a time, the signal being returned from the other station when applied to the intercom line to which the other station is connected; and means responsive to the return of the out-of-band signal for seizing the intercom line to which the signal is then applied and providing a call connection having hands-free answer capability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the detection means comprises a level detector operable in response to a voltage level shift produced by the initiating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means operable in response to the detection means comprises an oscillator and countdown circuitry for producing an out-of-band signal, a line coupling amplifier circuit for applying the out-of-band signal to the intercom lines one at a time, and a tone burst circuit connecting the oscillator and countdown circuit to the line coupling amplifier, the tone burst circuit limiting the application of the out-of-band signal on each intercom line to a prescribed time period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the means responsive to the return of the out-of-band signal comprises a tone decoder circuit for detecting the return of the out-of-band signal, a line selector and mike control circuit activated by the tone decoder circuit for turning off the tone burst circuit, providing power to a microphone for turning it on and triggering a mode control and identification circuit, the mode control and identification circuit determining which one of three modes, hands-free answer, do-not-disturb and mike-off, the hands-free answer circuit is operating therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein the mode control and identification circuit when in the hands-free answer and mike-off modes provides an enable signal to the line selector and mike control circuit, the line selector and mike control circuit activating a relay driver circuit which connects the microphone to the intercom line having the out-of-band signal via the line coupling amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a mike indicator circuit for reflecting the microphone being in an on condition, the mike indicator circuit being activated by the relay driver circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a line indicator circuit activated by the line selector and mike control circuit for reflecting the intercom line to which the hands-free unit is connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a circuit release circuit for providing a reset signal to the line selector and mike control circuit when the station goes off-hook on the intercom line or when the intercom line is vacated by the other station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a key telephone system having a plurality of stations, each station having means for connecting to one of a plurality of intercom lines and means for initiating telephone intercommunication with one of the other stations, a hands-free answer control circuit being associated with each one of the plurality of stations having hands-free answer capability characterized in that the hands-free answer circuit comprises: detection means responsive to the initiating means of an other station; oscillation means operable in response to the detection means for producing an out-of-band signal and applying it to the intercom lines one at a time; decoder means operable in response to return of the out-of-band signal for identifying the intercom line to which the other station is connected; selection means responsive to the decoder means for seizing the identified intercom line and providing a call connection having hands-free answer capability; and means for monitoring the status of the intercom line and for releasing the hands-free answer control circuit when a hands-free answer call is terminated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a key telephone system having a plurality of stations, each station having means for connecting to one of a plurality of intercom lines and means for initiating telephone intercommunication with one of the other stations, a hands-free answer control circuit being associated with each one of the plurality of stations having hands-free answer capability characterized in that the hands-free answer circuit comprises: detection means responsive to the initiating means of an other station; oscillation means operable in response to the detection means for producing an out-of-band signal and applying it to the intercom lines one at a time; decoder means operable in response to return of the out-of-band signal for identifying the intercom line to which the other station is connected; selection means responsive to the decoder means for seizing the identified intercom line and providing a call connection having hands-free answer capability; and means for monitoring the status of the intercom line and for releasing the hands-free answer control circuit when a hands-free answer call is terminated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a key telephone system having a plurality of stations and signaling means for initiating telephone intercommunications between the stations, a hands-free answer control circuit is associated with each one of the plurality of stations having hands-free answer capability for establishing telephone intercommunications between the stations and each hands-free answer control circuit is arranged for operation in a multiple intercom line system characterized in that the key telephone system comprises: closed loop means connecting a first one of the stations to a second one of the stations for providing a transmit path and a receive path for an out-of-band signal generated in the hands-free answer control circuit associated with a second one of the stations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a key telephone system having a plurality of stations and signaling means for initiating telephone intercommunications between the stations, a hands-free answer control circuit is associated with each one of the plurality of stations having hands-free answer capability for establishing telephone intercommunications between the stations and each hands-free answer control circuit is arranged for operation in a multiple intercom line system characterized in that the key telephone system comprises: closed loop means connecting a first one of the stations to a second one of the stations for providing a transmit path and a receive path for an out-of-band signal generated in the hands-free answer control circuit associated with a second one of the stations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10, the closed loop means comprising an intercom line connecting the first one of the stations with the second one of the stations, a side tone path and an amplifier within the first of the stations and a direct station selection line connecting the first one of the stations with the second one of the stations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10 further comprising means for applying the out-of-band signal sequentially to a plurality of intercom lines and means for seizing an intercom line connecting the first one of the stations to the second one of the stations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the out-of-band signal is applied to an other one of the plurality of intercom lines presently engaged by another hands-free answer control circuit associated with another of the plurality of stations without interfering with the on-going conversation on the other one of the intercom lines.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-06-11 | 1982-12-11 | 1983-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-06-11 | 1986-12-11 | 1987-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-06-11 | 1990-12-11 | 1991-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |