US4374308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
I-Use indication in a telephone keyset
Assignee: Siemens Corp
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Filing: 1981-04-30
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2001-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A telephone keyset is disclosed which has a dialpad of dialing keys, a series of line keys, at least one function key and a telephone receiver hook switch. Each of the line keys is provided with a lamp, such as an LED, for indicating when the telephone line associated with that line key is in use. The keyset apparatus also includes a programmed device, responsive either to the operation of the function key or the hook switch, for turning off all the indicator lamps with the exception of that lamp associated with that telephone line which the keyset apparatus is currently using.
Inventors
- 👤 John Holesha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M9/00; H04M9/002; H04M9/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Telephone keyset apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a plurality of dialing keys for dialing a telephone number; (b) a plurality of line keys, each associated with a single telephone line, for selecting the associated telephone line; (c) a plurality of first indicator lamps, each associated with one of said line keys, for indicating, when illuminated, that its associated telephone line is in use; (d) at least one function key for selecting a function to be performed by the telephone keyset apparatus; and (e) means responsive to the operation of said one function key for turning off all of said first indictor lamps with the exception of that one first indicator lamp associated with that telephone line to which the telephone keyset apparatus is currently connected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Telephone keyset apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a plurality of dialing keys for dialing a telephone number; (b) a plurality of line keys, each associated with a single telephone line, for selecting the associated telephone line; (c) a plurality of first indicator lamps, each associated with one of said line keys, for indicating, when illuminated, that its associated telephone line is in use; (d) at least one function key for selecting a function to be performed by the telephone keyset apparatus; and (e) means responsive to the operation of said one function key for turning off all of said first indictor lamps with the exception of that one first indicator lamp associated with that telephone line to which the telephone keyset apparatus is currently connected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein means (e) is further operative to relight all of said first indicator lamps that have been turned off after a predetermined time interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said interval is in the range of one to five seconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein means (e) is operative to turn off all of said first indicator lamps, with the exception of said one first indicator lamp, when said one function key is depressed, and to relight all of said first indicator lamps that have been turned off when said one function key is released.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
70 words
The apparatus recited in any one of the claims 1,2, 3 and 4, wherein said telephone keyset apparatus further comprises a plurality of function keys and a plurality of second indicator lamps, each of said second indicator lamps being associated with a function key, and wherein means (e) includes means responsive to the operation of said one function key for turning on the second indicator lamp associated with that key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus recited in claim 5, wherein means (e) is further operative to turn off the second indicator lamp associated with said one function key after a predetermined time interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus recited in claim 5, wherein means (e) is further operative to turn off the second indicator lamp associated with said one function key when said one function key is released.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each of said line keys include mechanical means for locking the respective key in the down position when said key is depressed and said telephone apparatus further includes a line hold key which releases all mechanical means when depressed, whereby the telephone keyset apparatus remains connected to a line although none of said line keys are locked in the down position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said line keys is a pushbutton key which return to an up position after being depressed and without locking in its down position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
Telephone keyset apparatus comprising, in combination: (a) a plurality of dialing keys for dialing a telephone number; (b) a plurality of line keys, each associated with a single telephone line, for selecting the associated telephone line; (c) a plurality of indicator lamps, each associated with one of said line keys, for indicating, when illuminated, that its associated telephone line is in use; (d) a receiver hook switch for enabling connection of the telephone keyset apparatus to a telephone line when released; and (e) means responsive to the operation of said hook switch for turning off all of said indicator lamps with the exception of that lamp associated with that telephone line to which the telephone keyset apparatus is currently connected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
Telephone keyset apparatus comprising, in combination: (a) a plurality of dialing keys for dialing a telephone number; (b) a plurality of line keys, each associated with a single telephone line, for selecting the associated telephone line; (c) a plurality of indicator lamps, each associated with one of said line keys, for indicating, when illuminated, that its associated telephone line is in use; (d) a receiver hook switch for enabling connection of the telephone keyset apparatus to a telephone line when released; and (e) means responsive to the operation of said hook switch for turning off all of said indicator lamps with the exception of that lamp associated with that telephone line to which the telephone keyset apparatus is currently connected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein said lamp which is not turned off by means (e) is associated with a telephone line to which the telephone keyset apparatus is automatically connected, upon going off hook, by an outgoing call automatic line preference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein said lamp which is not turned off by means (e) is associated with a telephone line to which the telephone keyset apparatus is automatically connected, upon going on hook and then off hook, by an incoming call automatic line preference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein means (e) is responsive to the depressing and release of said hook switch for turning off said indicator lamps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4046972A
Cited
US4203011A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |