Patent US4588862A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4588862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual display network interface
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-01-16
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Granted: 1986-05-13
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Expires: 2004-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A visual display network interface for placement between the incoming telephone network access line to a structure and user telephone equipment within the structure for indicating the operational status of the network access line and the user equipment includes a modular housing disposed between the network access line and the user telephone equipment wherein the housing includes an electrical circuit providing a pair of light-emitting diode indicators which are operable in either an illuminated or an unilluminated mode depending upon the status of the network access line and the telephone equipment within the premises. The circuit arrangement is designed to indicate whether or not continuity of the network access line exists as well as where a fault may be located if the user telephone equipment fails to operate properly. The user is able to determine which or both of the light-emitting diodes are illuminated and from that determination the user is able to indicate what portion of the overall system, if any, is malfunctioning. For example, if one of the two sides of the incoming network access line has lost continuity, a first one of the light-emitting diodes will not illuminate. Consequently, an unilluminated condition on this particular light-emitting diode will immediately signify to the user of the equipment that there is a loss of continuity in that network access line. Similarly, an unilluminated condition on the other light-emitting diode will indicate a fault with the user telephone equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Grabowy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Visual display means for placement between the incoming telephone network access line to a structure and user telephone equipment within the structure for indicating the operational status of said network access line and said telephone equipment, said visual display means comprising: a modular housing; a pair of outwardly visible indicators carried by said modular housing and being operable to exist in a switch-on condition when in a first mode and to exist in a switch-off condition when in a second mode; and circuit means disposed within said modular housing and adapted to interface with existing telephone wiring within a structure and for providing a modular jack for said user telephone equipment, said circuit means being designed and arranged for controlling the switched condition of each indicator according to the operational status of the network access lines and user equipment, said circuit means includes in series a Zener diode and resistor which are in series with one of said visible indicators.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Visual display means for placement between the incoming telephone network access line to a structure and user telephone equipment within the structure for indicating the operational status of said network access line and said telephone equipment, said visual display means comprising: a modular housing; a pair of outwardly visible indicators carried by said modular housing and being operable to exist in a switch-on condition when in a first mode and to exist in a switch-off condition when in a second mode; and circuit means disposed within said modular housing and adapted to interface with existing telephone wiring within a structure and for providing a modular jack for said user telephone equipment, said circuit means being designed and arranged for controlling the switched condition of each indicator according to the operational status of the network access lines and user equipment, said circuit means includes in series a Zener diode and resistor which are in series with one of said visible indicators.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The visual display means of claim 1 wherein said circuit means further includes a modular jack receptacle arranged for plug-in receipt of a telephone cord clip connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The visual display means of claim 2 wherein the other of said visible indicators is a bi-polar, tri-color light-emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
194 words
Visual display means for placement between the incoming telephone network access line to a structure and user telephone equipment within the structure for indicating the operational status of said network access line and said telephone equipment, said visual display means comprising: a modular housing; a pair of outwardly visible indicators carried by said modular housing and being operable to exist in a switched-on condition when in a first mode and to exist in a switched-off condition when in a second mode; and circuit means disposed within said modular housing and adapted to interface with existing telephone wiring within a structure and for providing a modular jack for said user telephone equipment, said circuit means being designed and arranged for controlling the switched condition of each indicator according to the operational status of the network access lines and user equipment, said circuit means and visible indicators being cooperatively arranged to indicate continuity of both access lines by illumination of one of said visible indicators, said circuit means and visible indicators being cooperatively arranged to further indicate continuity of said user telephone equipment during a line-in-use condition by illumination of the other of said visible indicators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
194 words
Visual display means for placement between the incoming telephone network access line to a structure and user telephone equipment within the structure for indicating the operational status of said network access line and said telephone equipment, said visual display means comprising: a modular housing; a pair of outwardly visible indicators carried by said modular housing and being operable to exist in a switched-on condition when in a first mode and to exist in a switched-off condition when in a second mode; and circuit means disposed within said modular housing and adapted to interface with existing telephone wiring within a structure and for providing a modular jack for said user telephone equipment, said circuit means being designed and arranged for controlling the switched condition of each indicator according to the operational status of the network access lines and user equipment, said circuit means and visible indicators being cooperatively arranged to indicate continuity of both access lines by illumination of one of said visible indicators, said circuit means and visible indicators being cooperatively arranged to further indicate continuity of said user telephone equipment during a line-in-use condition by illumination of the other of said visible indicators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
171 words
Visual display means for placement between the incoming telephone network access line to a structure and user telephone equipment within the structure for indicating the operational status of said network access line and said telephone equipment, said visual display means comprising: a modular housing; a pair of outwardly visible indicators carried by said modular housing and being operable to exist in a switched-on condition when in a first mode and to exist in a switched-off condition when in a second mode, one of said visible indicators is a bi-polar, tri-color light-emitting diode which is cooperatively arranged with said circuit means to indicate any one of three equipment status conditions by the color illuminated; and circuit means disposed within said modular housing and adapted to interface with existing telephone wiring within a structure and for providing a modular jack for said user telephone equipment, said circuit means being designed and arranged for controlling the switched condition of each indicator according to the operational status of the network access lines and user equipment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
171 words
Visual display means for placement between the incoming telephone network access line to a structure and user telephone equipment within the structure for indicating the operational status of said network access line and said telephone equipment, said visual display means comprising: a modular housing; a pair of outwardly visible indicators carried by said modular housing and being operable to exist in a switched-on condition when in a first mode and to exist in a switched-off condition when in a second mode, one of said visible indicators is a bi-polar, tri-color light-emitting diode which is cooperatively arranged with said circuit means to indicate any one of three equipment status conditions by the color illuminated; and circuit means disposed within said modular housing and adapted to interface with existing telephone wiring within a structure and for providing a modular jack for said user telephone equipment, said circuit means being designed and arranged for controlling the switched condition of each indicator according to the operational status of the network access lines and user equipment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The visual display means of claim 5 wherein the three colors of said light-emitting diode are green, red and yellow, each color being generated by different electrical conditions existing with said equipment.
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) | 1989-05-12 | 1989-11-11 | 1990-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-12 | 1993-11-11 | 1994-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-12 | 1997-11-11 | 1998-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |