Abstract A telephone having a handset and a cradle therefor. The cradle has no external moving parts. A magnet and a magnetic reed switch are used for sensing on-hook and off-hook conditions. In a first embodiment the magnetic reed switch is provided inside the cradle, in a position which is proximate the earpiece end of the handset when the handset is resting on the cradle; the earpiece houses the magnetic for operating the switch. The earpiece of the handset houses a receiver member which includes a loudspeaker having a voice coil wound on a permanent magnet. If that magnet does not generate a magnetic field strong enough to be sensed by and to actuate (i.e., close) the reed switch when the handset is on the cradle, an additional magnet may be used to supplement the magnetic field strength. In a second embodiment, the positions of the magnet and the switch are reversed - i.e., the magnet is placed in the cradle and the magnetic switch is in the handset. As an alternative to magnetic field sensing, optical sensing may be employed, with LED's in the cradle and an optical detector in the handset, or vice-versa.
A telephone set comprising, in combination: a handset; a cradle adapted to support the handset when the handset is deposited thereon;and means for detecting whether the handset is on or off the cradle, such means being adapted to sense the depositing of the handset on the cradle without the use of moving parts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A telephone set comprising, in combination: a handset; a cradle adapted to support the handset when the handset is deposited thereon;and means for detecting whether the handset is on or off the cradle, such means being adapted to sense the depositing of the handset on the cradle without the use of moving parts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the handset includes a magnet disposed in the handset and means internal to the cradle for sensing the proximity of the magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the handset includes an earpiece for generating audible output from electrical telephone signals, and the earpiece includes a voice coil wound on a permanent magnet, the magnet included in the handset comprising said permament magnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means internal to the cradle for sensing the proximity of the magnet includes a magnetic reed switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the handset includes a magnet disposed in the cradle and means internal to the handset for sensing the proximity of the magnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means internal to the handset for sensing the proximity of the magnet _includes a magnetic reed switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the handset includes an optical source and an optical detector adapted to sence the output of the optical source when the handset is resting on the cradle.
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