US4588864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small key telephone system
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent NV
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Filing: 1984-09-21
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Granted: 1986-05-13
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Expires: 2004-09-21
Abstract
Abstract An intercommunication system makes use of existing quad wiring to provide intercom communication between the subsets of the system, as well as communication with a standard central office, or an "outside line". Each subset is provided with a control sequencer for selectively connecting the set to either an "intercom" or an "outside" or C.O. line. When the handset of a subset is lifted off the respective hookswitch, the subset is automatically connected to intercom line and signalling between subsets can occur with the outside line on "hold". The hold is released automatically when another handset is picked up. Two indicators show activity on the two lines respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas J. R. Carter
- 👤 Douglas Sutherland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M9/00; H04M9/002; H04M9/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A telephone intercommunication system comprising: a plurality of telephone subsets; a first line operatively connected to said subsets for further connection to a telephone line; a second line operatively connected to said subsets for providing a communication path between the subsets; means, within each said subset, for transmitting audio frequency paging signals over said second line and means for receiving said paging signals; means, within each said subset, for generating a paging control signal having a frequency range outside the audio frequency range for activating said means for receiving paging signals, said paging control signals being transmitted via said second line; means, within each said subset, for selectively holding said first line; and control means, associated with and self-contained in each said subset for selectively accessing said subset to one of said first and second lines and for generating and receiving control signals; said control means including a first selective push-button means, a second selective push-button means, accessing means for selectively accessing said first and second lines, and a sequencer means for controlling said accessing means, said means for generating a paging control signal, said means for receiving audio signals and said holding means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A telephone intercommunication system comprising: a plurality of telephone subsets; a first line operatively connected to said subsets for further connection to a telephone line; a second line operatively connected to said subsets for providing a communication path between the subsets; means, within each said subset, for transmitting audio frequency paging signals over said second line and means for receiving said paging signals; means, within each said subset, for generating a paging control signal having a frequency range outside the audio frequency range for activating said means for receiving paging signals, said paging control signals being transmitted via said second line; means, within each said subset, for selectively holding said first line; and control means, associated with and self-contained in each said subset for selectively accessing said subset to one of said first and second lines and for generating and receiving control signals; said control means including a first selective push-button means, a second selective push-button means, accessing means for selectively accessing said first and second lines, and a sequencer means for controlling said accessing means, said means for generating a paging control signal, said means for receiving audio signals and said holding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one standard subset which does not have self-contained control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each subset further comprises holding means selectively activated by the control means, for holding said first line after it has been accessed by the subset, said holding means being automatically released when any subset accesses the first line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each subset further comprises indicating means operatively connected to said lines to indicate the presence of activity on said lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitting means comprises a handset for generating said signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving paging signals comprises means for amplifying and reproducing said paging signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving paging signals, of any subset which accesses the intercom line, is disabled by said sequencer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the second line is used to send and receive said control signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control means is adapted to automatically access the second line when the subset goes OFF HOOK.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the control means selectively generates a paging control signal for activating said means for receiving paging signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the paging control signal is transmitted on the second line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A telephone subset, comprising: first connecting means for connecting said subset to a first line; seond connecting means for connecting said subset to a second line; a handset for receiving audio signals from one of said first and second lines and for generating audio signals for one of said first and second lines and for generating audio frequency signals for transmission on one of said first and second lines; a hookswitch associated with said handset; control means for selectively accessing said handset to said first and second lines and for generating and receiving control signals; and a first push-button means for signalling said control means to access said first line, and a second push-button means for signalling said control means to access said second line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
A telephone subset, comprising: first connecting means for connecting said subset to a first line; seond connecting means for connecting said subset to a second line; a handset for receiving audio signals from one of said first and second lines and for generating audio signals for one of said first and second lines and for generating audio frequency signals for transmission on one of said first and second lines; a hookswitch associated with said handset; control means for selectively accessing said handset to said first and second lines and for generating and receiving control signals; and a first push-button means for signalling said control means to access said first line, and a second push-button means for signalling said control means to access said second line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The subset of claim 12 further comprising: dialing means for generating dialing signals; and ringing means which is activated when a ringing signal is received on said first line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The subset of claim 12 wherein said control means comprises a sequencer, and a switch means, said sequencer receiving input signals from said hookswitch, and first and second push button means, and in response thereto generating output signals for operating said switch means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The subset of claims 14 wherein said control means further comprises latching mean for latching said sequencer input and output signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The subset of claim 12 further comprising holding means for connection to said first line, said holding means being selectively activated by said control means for selectively holding the first line after it has been accessed by the handset.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subset of claim 12 further comprising means operatively connected to said first and second lines for indicating presence of activity on said lines.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The subset of claim 12 wherein the control means selectively generates a paging control signal for transmission on said second line and receiving paging control signal from said second line, said subset further comprising means for receiving paging signals, said means being activated by said paging control signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The subset of claim 18 further comprising means for disabling said means for receiving paging signals when said paging signals are generated by said subset.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The subset of claim 19 further comprising means for disabling said means for receiving paging signals when said subset accesses said second line.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The subset of claim 18 wherein said means for receiving paging signal comprises paging signal amplifying means and paging signal reproducing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The subset of claim 12 wherein said handset is adapted to generate audio frequency paging signals for transmission on said second line.
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 |