US5509068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic ring monitoring device for telecommunications line
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-03-25
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2014-03-25
Abstract
Abstract An electronic ring monitoring device is disclosed that includes telecommunications interface circuitry, ring detection circuitry, isolation circuitry, and output driver circuitry. The telecommunications interface circuitry may include a switch allowing programmable selection of alternate connections to the telecommunications source depending upon the particular source involved. The ring detection circuitry may include a bridge rectifier, a filtering capacitor, a bleeder resistor to prevent false detection from stray voltages on the telecommunications line, and a variable resistor to allow a programmable detection level. The isolation circuitry may include a optical isolator that will electronically isolate the telecommunications side of the device from the output side of the device. The driver circuitry may include a triac that allows current flow when a ring is indicated and may include inductive load protection circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel R. Bayless
- 👤 Michael R. Bayless
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/82; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; H04M19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical load in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: a telecommunication interface circuit, comprising: a first resistor-capacitor combination for use in a telephone system providing a ring signal having a first voltage level; a second resistor-capacitor combination for use in a telephone system providing a ring signal having a second voltage level; and a switch for selecting between the first resistor-capacitor combination and the second resistor-capacitor combination depending on the voltage level of the ring signal; a ring detection circuit; an output circuit; and an isolation circuit coupled between the ring detection circuit and the output circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical load in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: a telecommunication interface circuit, comprising: a first resistor-capacitor combination for use in a telephone system providing a ring signal having a first voltage level; a second resistor-capacitor combination for use in a telephone system providing a ring signal having a second voltage level; and a switch for selecting between the first resistor-capacitor combination and the second resistor-capacitor combination depending on the voltage level of the ring signal; a ring detection circuit; an output circuit; and an isolation circuit coupled between the ring detection circuit and the output circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telecommunication interface circuit comprises a surge protector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ring detection circuit comprises: a rectifier circuit having two input nodes and two output nodes; a detector capacitor connected to the output nodes of the rectifier circuit; and a detector resistor connected in parallel to the detector capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a variable resistor connected to an output node of the rectifier circuit and to the isolation circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolation circuit comprises an optical isolator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the output circuit comprises an input terminal, an output terminal, and a triac connected between the input terminal and the output terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a surge resistor and a surge capacitor connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the triac has a gate terminal that is connected to an output of the isolation circuit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical circuit in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: telecommunication circuit interface means for connecting the apparatus to a telecommunication circuit; detection means for detecting a ring signal on the telecommunication circuit; an output circuit including: a power input terminal; a power output terminal; a triac connected between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; and a surge resistor and a surge capacitor connected in series between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; and means for electrically isolating the detection means from the triac; wherein the triac has a gate terminal that is connected to the isolation means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical circuit in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: telecommunication circuit interface means for connecting the apparatus to a telecommunication circuit; detection means for detecting a ring signal on the telecommunication circuit; an output circuit including: a power input terminal; a power output terminal; a triac connected between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; and a surge resistor and a surge capacitor connected in series between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; and means for electrically isolating the detection means from the triac; wherein the triac has a gate terminal that is connected to the isolation means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said interface means includes configuration means for selectably configuring the apparatus for connection to two or more distinct types of telecommunication circuits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said switch means includes means for suppressing transient voltages that may occur when the load is inductive.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical circuit in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: a telecommunication interface circuit including: a first resistor-capacitor combination for use with a telephone system providing a ring signal having a first voltage level; a second resistor-capacitor combination for use with a telephone system providing a ring signal having a second voltage level; and a switch for selecting between the first combination and the second combination; a ring detection circuit having: a rectifier circuit having two input nodes and two output nodes; a detector capacitor connected between the output nodes of the rectifier circuit; a detector resistor connected in parallel to the detector capacitor; and a variable resistor connected to an output node of the rectifier circuit; an isolation circuit comprising an optical isolator; and an output circuit including: a power input terminal; a power output terminal; a triac connected between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; and a surge resistor and a surge capacitor connected in series between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; wherein the triac has a gate terminal that is connected to the isolation circuit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical circuit in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: a telecommunication interface circuit including: a first resistor-capacitor combination for use with a telephone system providing a ring signal having a first voltage level; a second resistor-capacitor combination for use with a telephone system providing a ring signal having a second voltage level; and a switch for selecting between the first combination and the second combination; a ring detection circuit having: a rectifier circuit having two input nodes and two output nodes; a detector capacitor connected between the output nodes of the rectifier circuit; a detector resistor connected in parallel to the detector capacitor; and a variable resistor connected to an output node of the rectifier circuit; an isolation circuit comprising an optical isolator; and an output circuit including: a power input terminal; a power output terminal; a triac connected between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; and a surge resistor and a surge capacitor connected in series between the power input terminal and the power output terminal; wherein the triac has a gate terminal that is connected to the isolation circuit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical load in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: a telecommunication interface circuit; a ring detection circuit; an isolation circuit comprising an optical isolator; and an output circuit coupled to said optical isolator, said output circuit comprising an input terminal, an output terminal, and a triac connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, said triac having a gate terminal connected to an output of the isolation circuit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for operating an electrical load in response to a telephone ring signal, comprising: a telecommunication interface circuit; a ring detection circuit; an isolation circuit comprising an optical isolator; and an output circuit coupled to said optical isolator, said output circuit comprising an input terminal, an output terminal, and a triac connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, said triac having a gate terminal connected to an output of the isolation circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said telecommunication interface circuit comprises: a first resistor-capacitor combination for use in a telephone system providing a ring signal having a first voltage level; a second resistor-capacitor combination for use in a telephone system providing a ring signal having a second voltage level; and a switch for selecting between the first resistor-capacitor combination and the second resistor-capacitor combination depending on the voltage level of the ring signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the telecommunication interface circuit comprises a surge protector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the ring detection circuit comprises: a rectifier circuit having two input nodes and two output nodes; a detector capacitor connected to the output nodes of the rectifier circuit; and a detector resistor connected in parallel to the detector capacitor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a variable resistor connected to an output node of the rectifier circuit and to the isolation circuit.
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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) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |