Patent US4697585A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4201896A
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Telephone polling apparatus using a plurality of timers to detect the line conditions
Assignee: Digital Products Corp
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Filing: 1978-07-03
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Granted: 1980-05-06
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Expires: 1998-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A telephone polling apparatus uses an energy detection device in cooperation with timing elements to provide discrimination between various conditions on the telephone line. These conditions are (1) a busy condition, (2) an answer condition, which can occur with someone speaking, not speaking, or with a recorded announcement, and (3) a no answer condition.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Bower
- 👤 Fred J. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for discriminating between different conditions on a telephone line after a telephone number is dialed said conditions including the presence of a recorded message on said line, said method comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of energy on the telephone line; timing the detection of the energy; discriminating an answer condition by determining that the energy detection lasts more than a first predetermined interval but less than a second predetermined interval; descriminating a busy condition by counting the number of times the presence of energy is greater than a third predetermined time which is more than said first predetermined time but less than said second predetermined time, when the count reaches a predetermined value; discriminating said answer condition when there is no detected energy for a fourth predetermined interval; discriminating said recorded message condition on the telephone line when there is energy detected for more than a fixed percentage of the time during a fifth predetermined interval; and discriminating a no answer condition on the telephone line after the passage of a sixth predetermined interval greater than the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth predetermined intervals without the discrimination of any other conditions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for discriminating between different conditions on a telephone line after a telephone number is dialed said conditions including the presence of a recorded message on said line, said method comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of energy on the telephone line; timing the detection of the energy; discriminating an answer condition by determining that the energy detection lasts more than a first predetermined interval but less than a second predetermined interval; descriminating a busy condition by counting the number of times the presence of energy is greater than a third predetermined time which is more than said first predetermined time but less than said second predetermined time, when the count reaches a predetermined value; discriminating said answer condition when there is no detected energy for a fourth predetermined interval; discriminating said recorded message condition on the telephone line when there is energy detected for more than a fixed percentage of the time during a fifth predetermined interval; and discriminating a no answer condition on the telephone line after the passage of a sixth predetermined interval greater than the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth predetermined intervals without the discrimination of any other conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
298 words
Apparatus adapted for connection to a telephone line for discriminating between different conditions on the telephone line after a number is dialed, said conditions including the presence of a recorded message on said line, said apparatus comprising: means responsive to the end of said number being dialed for detecting energy on said telephone line and providing an output signal; a timer; means responsive to said output signal for enabling said timer; means responsive to said timer being enabled more than a first predetermined time but less than a second predetermined time for discriminating an answer condition on said telephone line; a counter; means responsive to said timer being enabled more than a third predetermined time which is more than said first predetermined time but less than said second predetermined time, for incrementing said counter; means responsive to said counter reaching a predetermined count for discriminating a busy condition on said telephone line; second timer means responsive to the absence of said output signal for timing a fourth predetermined interval; means responsive to said second timer means finishing timing said fourth predetermined interval during the absence of said output signal for discriminating said answer condition; means responsive to the percentage of said output signal for more than a fixed percentage of the time during a fifth predetermined interval for discriminating said recorded message condition on the telephone line; third timer means for timing a sixth predetermined interval which is greater than said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth predetermined intervals; means for enabling said third timer means after dialing and disabling said third timer means upon discriminating any of said answer, busy, or recorded message conditions; and means responsive to said third timer means timing said sixth predetermined interval for discriminating a no answer condition on said telephone line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
298 words
Apparatus adapted for connection to a telephone line for discriminating between different conditions on the telephone line after a number is dialed, said conditions including the presence of a recorded message on said line, said apparatus comprising: means responsive to the end of said number being dialed for detecting energy on said telephone line and providing an output signal; a timer; means responsive to said output signal for enabling said timer; means responsive to said timer being enabled more than a first predetermined time but less than a second predetermined time for discriminating an answer condition on said telephone line; a counter; means responsive to said timer being enabled more than a third predetermined time which is more than said first predetermined time but less than said second predetermined time, for incrementing said counter; means responsive to said counter reaching a predetermined count for discriminating a busy condition on said telephone line; second timer means responsive to the absence of said output signal for timing a fourth predetermined interval; means responsive to said second timer means finishing timing said fourth predetermined interval during the absence of said output signal for discriminating said answer condition; means responsive to the percentage of said output signal for more than a fixed percentage of the time during a fifth predetermined interval for discriminating said recorded message condition on the telephone line; third timer means for timing a sixth predetermined interval which is greater than said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth predetermined intervals; means for enabling said third timer means after dialing and disabling said third timer means upon discriminating any of said answer, busy, or recorded message conditions; and means responsive to said third timer means timing said sixth predetermined interval for discriminating a no answer condition on said telephone line.
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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) | 1983-05-06 | 1983-11-05 | 1984-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-06 | 1987-11-05 | 1988-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-06 | 1991-11-05 | 1992-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |