Patent US4166199A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4166199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Attendant console complex
Assignee: SHARED TECHNOLOGIES ALLEGIANCE
•
Filing: 1977-11-25
•
Granted: 1979-08-28
•
Expires: 1997-11-25
Abstract
Abstract An operator complex in which control signals relating to key lamp and alphanumeric display operation and key transition data are carried between the operator console and the PABX system on a multiplex highway or radio transmission link to permit virtually unlimited spacing between the operator console and the associated switching system. The operator console includes a send control system and a receive control system. The send control system detects valid key transitions and formulates a message concerning such detected key transmissions to be sent to the common control in the PABX. The receive control system receives messages from the common control indicating key lamp or alphanumeric display information and decodes these messages to effect selective control over the display.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Gueldenpfennig
- 👤 Charles J. Breidenstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/60; H04M3/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An operator console for a PABX system having a common control comprising: a plurality of actuatable keys each having first and second operative states and means for generating key state signals indicating the operative state of each of said keys; means for repetitively scanning the operative state of said keys including multiplexing means for sequentially multiplexing said key state signals; storage means for storing the operative state of each key; decoder means responsive to the operative state of a key as provided by said storage means and the key state signal generated by that key as provided by said means for scanning, said decoder means being operative to detect a transition of said key from said first to said second operative states for generating a key transition signal in response to said detections; and message formulating means responsive to said decoder means and said means for scanning, said message formulating means being operative to formulate a message to be sent to said common control, said message including said key transition signal and the key identification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An operator console for a PABX system having a common control comprising: a plurality of actuatable keys each having first and second operative states and means for generating key state signals indicating the operative state of each of said keys; means for repetitively scanning the operative state of said keys including multiplexing means for sequentially multiplexing said key state signals; storage means for storing the operative state of each key; decoder means responsive to the operative state of a key as provided by said storage means and the key state signal generated by that key as provided by said means for scanning, said decoder means being operative to detect a transition of said key from said first to said second operative states for generating a key transition signal in response to said detections; and message formulating means responsive to said decoder means and said means for scanning, said message formulating means being operative to formulate a message to be sent to said common control, said message including said key transition signal and the key identification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An operator console as defined in claim 1, wherein said message is transmitted to said common control over a multiplex data link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
An operator console as defined in claim 1, wherein said decoder means includes means for generating said key transition signal only after detection of said transition of said key from said first to said second operative states and maintenance of said key in said second operative state for a plurality of successive scans of the operative state of said key.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An operator console as defined in claim 3, wherein said decoder means further includes means for updating the operative state of each key on the basis of said key signals for each scan of said keys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An operator console as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for scanning includes counter means for generating sequential key addresses to drive said multiplexing means, said storage means comprising a random access memory addressed by said scanning means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
An operator console as defined in claim 5, wherein said decoder means includes means responsive to the output of said multiplexing means and said random access memory for counting the number of consecutive same type operative states of each key detected on the basis of said key state signals and for storing such count in said random access memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
An operator console as defined in claim 6, wherein said decoder means includes means for generating said key transition signal only after detection of said transition of said key from one positive state to the other operative state and maintenance of said key in said other operative state for a predetermined number of successive scans of said key.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An operator console as defined in claim 7, wherein said message formulating means comprises at least one shift register connected to receive a key address from said means for scanning and said key transition signal from said decoder means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An operator console as defined in claim 7, further including means responsive to a request from said common control for actuating said message formulating means in conjunction with each key status stored in said random access memory which has resulted in the generation of a key transition signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
An operator console as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of display lamps, flash timing generator means for generating a plurality of lamp energizing signals of different frequency, another decoder means for decoding flash code messages from said common control, and control means responsive to said decoder means for connecting a selected output of said flash timing generator means to a selected display lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
An operator console as defined in claim 10, wherein said another decoder means includes flash code memory means for storing a designated flash code for each display lamp and another means for scanning operative to sequentially address said memory means to read out each flash code in turn to said control means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
An operator console as defined in claim 11, wherein said control means includes flash code selector means for multiplexing the outputs of said flash generator means in accordance with the flash codes sequentially received from said memory means, display demultiplexing means for demultiplexing the output of said selector means and gating means for applying the outputs of said demultiplexing means to the respective display lamps.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
An operator console as defined in claim 11, wherein said another decoder means further includes address selector means for alternately reading data from said flash code messages into said memory means and scanning the contents of said memory means in reponse to said another means for scanning.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
An operator console as defined in claim 10, further including means for detecting improper parity in said received flash code message, and means responsive to said another decoder means for enabling said message formulating means to send a fictitious key transition signal indicating improper receipt of said flash code message. pg,46
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
147 words
An operator console for a PABX system having a common control comprising: a plurality of display lamps, a flash timing generator means for generating a plurality of lamp energizing signals of different frequency, decoder means for decoding flash code messages from said common control, and control means for connecting a selected output of said flash timing generator means to a selected display lamp, said decoder means including flash code memory means for storing a designated flash code for each display lamp and scanning means for sequentially addressing said memory means to read out each flash code in turn to said control means, said decoder means further including at least two registers for receiving first and second bytes of said flash code messages, said first byte designating the address of a selected display lamp and said second byte including the flash code associated with the selected display lamp.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
147 words
An operator console for a PABX system having a common control comprising: a plurality of display lamps, a flash timing generator means for generating a plurality of lamp energizing signals of different frequency, decoder means for decoding flash code messages from said common control, and control means for connecting a selected output of said flash timing generator means to a selected display lamp, said decoder means including flash code memory means for storing a designated flash code for each display lamp and scanning means for sequentially addressing said memory means to read out each flash code in turn to said control means, said decoder means further including at least two registers for receiving first and second bytes of said flash code messages, said first byte designating the address of a selected display lamp and said second byte including the flash code associated with the selected display lamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
An operator console as defined in claim 15, wherein said decoder means further includes address selector means for alternately applying to said flash code memory means the address from said first byte of said flash code message and the output of said scanning means so as to interleave the writing of new flash codes into said memory means and the sequential reading of stored flash codes from said memory means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
An operator console as defined in claim 16, wherein said control means includes flash code selector means for multiplexing the outputs of said flash timing generator means in accordance with the flash codes sequentially received from said memory means, display demultiplexing means for demultiplexing the output of said selector means and gating means for applying the outputs of said demultiplexing means to the respective display lamps.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
165 words
An operator console for a PABX system having a common control comprising: a plurality of display lamps, a flash timing generator means for generating a plurality of lamp energizing signals of different frequency, decoder means for decoding flash code messages from said common control, and control means for connecting a selected output of said flash timing generator means to a selected display lamp, said decoder means including flash code memory means for storing a designated flash code for each display lamp and scanning means for sequentially addressing said memory means to read out each flash code in turn to said control means, and an alphanumeric display including a plurality of multi-element devices, said decoder means including at least two registers for receiving first and second bytes of said flash code messages, said first byte designating the address of either a display lamp or an alphanumeric device and said second byte designating the flash code or element selection code associated with the selected lamp or device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
An operator console for a PABX system having a common control comprising: a plurality of display lamps, a flash timing generator means for generating a plurality of lamp energizing signals of different frequency, decoder means for decoding flash code messages from said common control, and control means for connecting a selected output of said flash timing generator means to a selected display lamp, said decoder means including flash code memory means for storing a designated flash code for each display lamp and scanning means for sequentially addressing said memory means to read out each flash code in turn to said control means, and an alphanumeric display including a plurality of multi-element devices, said decoder means including at least two registers for receiving first and second bytes of said flash code messages, said first byte designating the address of either a display lamp or an alphanumeric device and said second byte designating the flash code or element selection code associated with the selected lamp or device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
An operator console as defined in claim 18, wherein said detector means further includes first means responsive to a display lamp address in said first byte for writing the flash code from said second byte into said memory means at the storage location therein designated by said address.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
An operator console as defined in claim 19, wherein said decoder means further includes second means responsive to an address of an alphanumeric device in said first byte for inhibiting said first means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
An operator console as defined in claim 20, including means responsive to the address of an alphanumeric device in said first byte for energizing the address device in accordance with the element selection code in said second byte.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
70 words
An operator console as defined in claim 21, wherein said decoder means further includes address selector means for alternately applying to said flash code memory means the address from said first byte of said flash code meassage and the output of said scanning means so as to interleave the writing of new flash codes into said memory means and the sequential reading of stored flash codes from said memory 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) | 1982-08-27 | 1983-02-26 | 1983-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-08-27 | 1987-02-26 | 1987-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-08-27 | 1991-02-26 | 1991-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |