US4297534A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pushbutton telephone set disabling means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-01-03
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Granted: 1981-10-27
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Expires: 2000-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A telephone set which is being used as a pushbutton-type telephone is protected from unauthorized use by a frequency signal altering circuit restricting the output from a built-in TOUCH-TONE (R) signalling pad or other TOUCH-TONE (R) generator. The circuit includes at least one notch filter which, when electrically inserted between the telephone set and a call receiving station, alters at least one of those frequencies generated at the telephone set by pushbutton circuits to dial a number to a form which is not proper for actuating equipment at the call receiving station. The frequency signal altering circuit is located internal to or closely adjacent the telephone set to be protected. Circuits which restrict the output from a telephone are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry M. Epstein
- 👤 Terry M. Gernstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/667; H04M1/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for preventing unauthorized use of a pushbutton telephone set comprising: disabling means connected to the telephone set to be electrically interposed between the telephone set and a line connecting that telephone set to a call receiving means such as a central office, PBX, key system centrex, or the like, said disabling means including frequency signal altering means which alters at least one of said intercepted frequency signals in a manner such that the call receiving means is prevented from receiving a set of frequencies in a form which is required to operate equipment at such call receiving means so that such equipment will not be operated by said at least one altered frequency signal and a call which includes said altered frequency signal will not be completed, said disabling means permitting the telephone set to receive signals incoming thereto; and connecting means on said disabling means for selectively connecting said frequency signal altering means to the telephone set and disconnecting said frequency signal altering means from the telephone set at any time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for preventing unauthorized use of a pushbutton telephone set comprising: disabling means connected to the telephone set to be electrically interposed between the telephone set and a line connecting that telephone set to a call receiving means such as a central office, PBX, key system centrex, or the like, said disabling means including frequency signal altering means which alters at least one of said intercepted frequency signals in a manner such that the call receiving means is prevented from receiving a set of frequencies in a form which is required to operate equipment at such call receiving means so that such equipment will not be operated by said at least one altered frequency signal and a call which includes said altered frequency signal will not be completed, said disabling means permitting the telephone set to receive signals incoming thereto; and connecting means on said disabling means for selectively connecting said frequency signal altering means to the telephone set and disconnecting said frequency signal altering means from the telephone set at any time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes a filter which is tuned to alter at least one TOUCH-TONE frequency signal from a TOUCH-TONE telephone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said filter is a notch filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes a plurality of filters each of which substantially prevents passage of a TOUCH-TONE frequency from a TOUCH-TONE telephone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device defined in claim 4 wherein said filters each include a notch filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes a plurality of notch filters which are tuned to alter but one of the dialing frequencies generated at the telephone set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes a frequency signal altering means which passes voice signals in an essentially undistorted manner but which distorts TOUCH-TONE signal frequencies sufficiently so that the call receiving means cannot receive a usable form of such frequency signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes a crystal filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said filter includes a series combination of an inductor and a capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a lock box connected to the telephone line leading from such individual telephone set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device defined in claim 10 wherein said lock box includes a movable means having said frequency signal altering means thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device defined in claim 11 wherein said movable means also has a normal circuit thereon which permits full use of the telephone set, said normal circuit being spaced from said frequency signal altering means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device defined in claim 12 further including moving means on said lock box for moving said movable means to connect said frequency signal altering means to such individual telephone set.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 13 wherein said moving means includes a lock.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 14 wherein said lock includes a key lock.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes means preventing all calls beginning with "1".
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 16 wherein said disabling means permits use of frequencies used to dial operator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device defined in claim 17 wherein said connecting means includes password means for bypassing said disabling means and permitting full unobstructed use of the telephone set when said disabling means is connected to the telephone set.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device defined in claim 10 wherein said lock box includes connecting means for connecting said lock box to a modulator telephone set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes a digital chip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device defined in claim 3 wherein said notch filter includes a resistor connected in series with a capacitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device defined in claim 5 wherein each notch filter includes a resistor connected in series with a capacitor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means is closely adjacent the telephone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means is connected to a plurality of individual telephones.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes manually operable means for connecting and disconnecting said disabling means and the telephone set.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes timing means for connecting and disconnecting said disabling means and the telephone at prescribed times.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a bypass means for circumventing said disabling means and permitting frequency signals generated by the telephone set to pass through said disabling means, said bypass means being actuated by a predetermined code generated at the telephone set.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said intercepted frequency signals are substantially blocked by said disabling means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
114 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means further includes a bypass means for circumventing said disabling means and permitting frequency signals generated by the telephone set to pass through said disabling means, said bypass means being actuated by a predetermined code generated at the telephone set and wherein bypass means includes first code means receiving signals from the telephone set and second code means controlled by said first means and connecting the telephone set to the call processing means, said first code means being activated by said predetermined code and activating said second code means to permit signals generated by the TOUCH-TONE telephone to be received by the call processing means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device defined in claim 29 wherein said code means include chips.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes a chip.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 27 wherein said bypass means permits calls to be made to an operator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means further includes a timing means for activating said frequency signal altering means at preselected times.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a combination lock.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes a pushbutton lock having a plurality of pushbuttons thereon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means is positioned within the telephone set.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device defined in claim 36 wherein said disabling means is attached to the telephone set.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
16 words
The device defined in 36 wherein said disabling means includes a lock on the telephone set.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
16 words
The device defined in 36 wherein said disabling means includes a lock on the telephone set.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 38 wherein said lock includes a key lock.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 38 wherein said lock includes a combination lock.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 38 wherein said lock includes a keyboard having a plurality of pushbuttons thereon.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes means for filtering substantially all TOUCH-TONE frequencies from such TOUCH-TONE telephone.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device defined in claim 9 wherein said filter further includes a diode in series with said inductor and said capacitor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said filter includes a parallel combination of an inductor and a capacitor.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes a ceramic filter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said frequency signal altering means includes a mechanical filter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means is connected to a given set of oscillators in such telephone.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means is associated with a rotary dial telephone to alter at least one frequency of multifrequency dial signals generated from that rotary dial telephone.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said disabling means is associated with a dialless telephone to alter at least one frequency of multifrequency dial signals generated from that dialless telephone.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a lock switch.
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) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |