US3683122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means
Assignee: Electrospace Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-08
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1991-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A telephone ringing signal detector associated with a line answering circuit for use with an incoming telephone line. The detector includes at least one neon lamp for conducting ringing signals to activate an element of the answering circuit when the neon lamp is conducting. The answering circuit further includes a switch which is normally open when no ringing signal is on the line. Activation of the element effects the closing of the switch so that a voice connection is made. Preferably, the detector includes two neon lamps for low and high voltage ringing, and a third neon lamp to by-pass signals other than ringing signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Merl Kalju
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/654
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means for use with incoming telephone lines comprising line bridging means having D.C. resistance connected across said lines, a parallel circuit in one of said incoming lines before said bridging means, a first branch of said parallel circuit including switch means, a second branch of said parallel circuit including first voltage sensitive means to present an open circuit below a first predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said first predetermined voltage, a third branch of said parallel circuit includes second voltage sensitive means to present an open circuit below a second predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said second predetermined voltage, said second predetermined voltage being higher than said first predetermined voltage, and actuating means coacting with said D.C. resistance to be responsive to conducting of either one of said first and second voltage sensitive means to close said switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means for use with incoming telephone lines comprising line bridging means having D.C. resistance connected across said lines, a parallel circuit in one of said incoming lines before said bridging means, a first branch of said parallel circuit including switch means, a second branch of said parallel circuit including first voltage sensitive means to present an open circuit below a first predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said first predetermined voltage, a third branch of said parallel circuit includes second voltage sensitive means to present an open circuit below a second predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said second predetermined voltage, said second predetermined voltage being higher than said first predetermined voltage, and actuating means coacting with said D.C. resistance to be responsive to conducting of either one of said first and second voltage sensitive means to close said switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second voltage sensitive means includes a gas filled lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A telePhone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 2, wherein said lamp is neon filled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 2, wherein said at least one voltage sensitive means further includes a resistor in series with said lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 4, wherein said at least one voltage sensitive means still further includes a capacitor in parallel with said resistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 5 further comprising actuatable means, said actuatable means including line coupling means with said D.C. resistance defining a primary winding thereof, signal amplifier means connected to secondary of said coupling means, and said actuating means connected to said amplifier means for controlling said switch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 1 further comprising actuatable means, said actuatable means including line coupling means with said D.C. resistance defining a primary winding thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 7, wherein said actuatable means further includes signal amplifier means connected to secondary of said coupling means, and said actuating means connected to said amplifier means for controlling said switch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 8, wherein said actuating means includes relay means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said second and third branches of said parallel circuit includes a capacitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second voltage sensitive means includes a resistor, said third branch resistor being of higher value than said second branch resistor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 11, wherein each of said first and second sensitive means further includes a gas filled lamp in series with said respective branch resistor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 12, wherein each of said voltage sensitive means still further includes a capacitor in parallel with said respective branch resistor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 13, wherein short circuit means are connected across said telephone lines in a parallel arrangement with a series circuit defined by said bridging means and said parallel circuit, said short circuit means preventing signals other than ringing signals from causing said conducting of either one of said first and second voltage sensitive means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means for use with incoming telephone lines comprising line bridging means having D.C. resistance connected across said lines, a parallel circuit in one of said incoming lines before said bridging means, a first branch of said parallel circuit including switch means, a second branch of said parallel circuit including voltage sensitive means to present an open circuit below a certain predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said predetermined voltage, actuating means coacting with said D.C. resistance to be responsive to conducting of said voltage sensitive means to close said switch means, and short circuit means connected across said telephone lines in a parallel arrangement with a series circuit defined by said bridging means and said parallel circuit, said short circuit means preventing signals other than ringing signals from causing said conducting of said voltage sensitive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
148 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means for use with incoming telephone lines comprising line bridging means having D.C. resistance connected across said lines, a parallel circuit in one of said incoming lines before said bridging means, a first branch of said parallel circuit including switch means, a second branch of said parallel circuit including voltage sensitive means to present an open circuit below a certain predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said predetermined voltage, actuating means coacting with said D.C. resistance to be responsive to conducting of said voltage sensitive means to close said switch means, and short circuit means connected across said telephone lines in a parallel arrangement with a series circuit defined by said bridging means and said parallel circuit, said short circuit means preventing signals other than ringing signals from causing said conducting of said voltage sensitive means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 15, wherein said short circuit means includes A capacitor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 16, wherein said short circuit means further includes a voltage sensitive means in series with said capacitor to present an open circuit below a certain predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said latter predetermined voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 17, wherein said voltage sensitive means of said short circuit means includes a gas filled lamp.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
A telephone ringing signal detector and line answering means according to claim 15, wherein a third branch of said parallel circuit also includes voltage sensitive means to present an open circuit below a certain predetermined applied voltage and to conduct at voltages higher than said latter predetermined voltage, said latter predetermined voltage being higher than said first-mentioned predetermined voltage.
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) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |