US3902016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ringer blocking attachment for telephones
Assignee: InterDigital Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-01
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A system for selectively ringing or actuating a telephone bell or any other desirable signal, or for alternatively actuating any functional device such as an alarm system, a timer, a radio, a coffee pot, etc., whereby when a telephone number is called, an auxiliary system automatically cuts in to prevent ringing or other actuation of the telephone bell or other signal device until a predetermined additional number or series of numbers are dialed or touch-toned at which time the telephone bell or other signal device is actuated or, alternatively, the functional device is actuated.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger D Blouch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M1/665; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; H04M19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a telephone system comprising a sender and a receiver, there being audio and ringer circuits between said sender and said receiver, said receiver having a ringer therein, an auxiliary network comprising a ring detector to selectively inhibit said ringer means, a ring disable means coupled to said ring detector means and a ring activator means coupled to said ring disable means, said ring detector means being adapted to receive an incoming ringer signal from said ringer circuit, convert said ringer signal to a disable signal and apply said disable signal to said ring disable means, said ring activator means being coupled to said sender to receive audio pulses from said sender, convert a predetermined number and sequence of said pulses into an actuating signal, and transmit said actuating signal to said ring disable means, thereby causing said ring disable means to activate said receiver ringer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a telephone system comprising a sender and a receiver, there being audio and ringer circuits between said sender and said receiver, said receiver having a ringer therein, an auxiliary network comprising a ring detector to selectively inhibit said ringer means, a ring disable means coupled to said ring detector means and a ring activator means coupled to said ring disable means, said ring detector means being adapted to receive an incoming ringer signal from said ringer circuit, convert said ringer signal to a disable signal and apply said disable signal to said ring disable means, said ring activator means being coupled to said sender to receive audio pulses from said sender, convert a predetermined number and sequence of said pulses into an actuating signal, and transmit said actuating signal to said ring disable means, thereby causing said ring disable means to activate said receiver ringer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 wherein an auxiliary ringer system is selectively coupled to said ring detector means, said auxiliary ringer system being adapted to be actuated by said ring disable meAns when said receiver ringer is deactivated and to be deactivated when said receiver ringer is activated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said ring activator means comprises a tone-decoder and comparitor network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said tone-decoder and comparitor network is also in circuit with auxiliary functions to selectively activate said functions upon receiving a predetermined number and sequence of pulses from said sender.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the tone-decoder comprises a series of phase-locked loops that convert tones from the sender to digits, said loops being in circuit with corresponding banks of AND gates corresponding to the buttons on the touch-tone sender, said AND gates being in circuit with corresponding AND gates in said comparitor, the AND gates in said comparitor being constructed and arranged to generate an actuating signal upon being activated in predetermined number and sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said ring detector means comprises a rectifier in circuit with a transistor which is in circuit with a flip-flop, said rectifier being constructed and arranged to rectify an incoming ringer signal from the sender to trigger the transistor which thereupon moves the flip-flop to apply a disabling signal to a switch in the ring disable means, said switch being in circuit with the receiver ringer, said switch being alternately movable from a first position opening the circuit to the receiver ringer to a second position closing the circuit to the receiver ringer.
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) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |