Abstract: An automated telephone hold device including a housing with a visual indication mechanism, audible indication mechanism, and push button switch positioned on a top face thereof. Further included is a voice playback mechanism, decoder, phone interface, and sequential logic located within the housing. In use, the sequential logic allows a user on hold to depress the push button switch which, in turn, actuates the visual indication mechanism. At this point in time, the phone interface allows communication between the voice playback mechanism and the phone of the second party for prompting the second party to press a designated key on the phone thereof. Once the second party presses the designated key, the sequential logic mechanism is adapted to actuate the audible indication mechanism. Also, upon the user lifting the handset thereof from an inoperative orientation, the sequential logic mechanism prompts the phone interface to revert to a normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A communications interface having an isolation circuit for signals from a plain old telephone set (POTS) device to communications electronics. The communications interface having an isolated power supply. The isolated power supply including a flyback transformer for a current loop supply and an isolated power source The telephone line isolation circuit having an optically isolated off-hook detection circuit and an isolation transformer for isolating communication electronics from the telephone current loop. The telephone line isolation circuit providing a ringing circuit for ringing a current loop device, such as a standard plain old telephone system (POTS) device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-way call detection system that uses digital signal processing to identify a third party connection. The disclosed invention operates by establishing a baseline ambient, or background, noise level, and detecting when the signal noise level drops below the ambient noise level. When the current signal noise level drops below the ambient noise level, the system assumes that a three-way conference call has been attempted by the called party.

Abstract: An off-hook telephone clearing system for a telephone line having at least two telephones connected thereto, comprising a howler tone detector connected to each telephone, and a telephone disconnect device having an input responsive to the howler tone detector for disconnecting a telephone being in off-hook condition from the telephone line. The clearing system may include a latching relay in the disconnect device. The latching relay may be mechanically coupled to the telephone hookswitch for delatching upon hang-up of the receiver.

Abstract: An off-hook disconnect and reconnect ringer device will detect if a telephone is off-hook and will receive incoming telephone calls through the off-hook telephone. The off-hook disconnect and reconnect ringer device includes at least one relay, an audio amplifier or first transistor, a switch or second transistor, a timer, a first comparator, a second comparator, a relay driver or third transistor, and a ringer device. The off-hook disconnect and reconnect ringer device may be integrally formed with the telephone or may be connected to the telephone by at least one wire. During operation of the device, if an audio signal is not detected, then the timer is actuated and begins to time the period of time that the telephone is off-hook. After a preset period of time, the relay temporarily disconnects the telephone from the telephone line, allowing the off-hook disconnect and reconnect ringer device to signal through the ringer device that an incoming call is being received, even though the telephone is off-hook.

Abstract: In a call transfer apparatus wherein a request to transfer a call between first and second communication partners from the second communication partner to a transfer destination is made, a discriminating circuit discriminates whether the transfer destination can respond. A control unit places the first communication partner in a holding state while it is determined whether the transfer destination can respond. If the transfer destination can respond, the call is transferred. If speech communication with the transfer destination is not possible, the control unit releases the holding state of the first communication partner.

Abstract: An integrated loop current detector for a public switched telephone network modem. The present invention solves the loop current detect problem in general, and is especially useful in modems employing echo cancellation techniques due the linearity afforded by the invention. In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the current detector includes a solid-state loop hold circuit coupled to terminals of the PSTN. A current mirror circuit is coupled in parallel with the loop holding circuit, wherein the current mirror circuit includes a transistor having a control terminal coupled to the DC operating point of the loop holding circuit. The transistor is operable to detect interruptions in loop current. An opto-coupler device having an input coupled to the switching device has an output coupled to a current detect input line of said modem thereby providing an isolated output for quick and reliable indication of current interruptions in said loop hold circuit.

Abstract: A telephone system and method for easing an incoming caller's wait time in queue before being connected to a called party is disclosed. A "ready" signal initiated by the called party via the called party's telephone is provided to the caller's telephone to inform the caller that communication can commence between the caller and the called party. Thus, the caller need not wait with the caller's telephone pressed against his or her ear. Instead, the caller can put the telephone down (off-hook) and go about his or her business until receiving the ready signal. The ready signal can be provided visually and/or audibly. The ready signal can be enabled by the caller. The ready signal can also be terminated by the caller to enable the initiation of communication with the called party. "Ready enable", "ready" and "ready termination" functions can be initiated by pressing specialty keys on a telephone or can be assigned predetermined sequences of keys from a traditional telephone key pad.

Abstract: A communications marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software permits transmitting a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement to a network station which has been temporarily disconnected from a called network station and placed on hold within the network. The network is adapted for allowing an identified called station connected to a first call from a first party at a first network address to receive a second call from a second party at a second network address. The network interrupts the called station and signals the called station of the second call. The called station can then choose to connect to the second call and temporarily disconnect the first party, placing the first party on hold within the network, and thereafter, the called station may switch between the first and second calls.

Abstract: A method of providing call screening to a subscriber of personal communication services facilitates the screening of incoming calls by associating the number dialed by a calling party with a function or role of the dialed number. This function or role is then sent to the subscriber when an incoming call is received. This way, the subscriber can decide whether to answer the incoming call based upon knowing the role or context associated with the dialed number. The subscriber is also provided with user controlled features which can be invoked by the use of DTMF codes. The subscriber can place a calling party on hold prior to answering the incoming call. In addition, the subscriber can proceed with a call transfer from a wireless telephone to a wired telephone and vice-versa, while the call is still in progress. Another feature allows the subscriber to implement a real-time call screening, while the calling party is leaving a message on voice mail.

Abstract: An automatic call distributor (20) having a multiport switch (22) controlled by a central control unit (24) for interconnecting telephonic calls received from external telephonic units (28) of an external telephonic public switching network (30) with multiline internal telephonic units (32A-N) and for interconnecting telephonic calls from other internal telephonic units (32A-N) coupled with the call distributor (20), with a telephonic call holding system (25) for removing a hold placed on one of a plurality of lines representative of line keys (44A, 44B, 44C) of a multiline internal telephonic unit (32A) and for causing the central control unit (24) to automatically place another hold on another line of the internal telephonic unit (32A) in response to receipt of a signal from a basic rate line circuit (36) upon actuation of a key at the internal telephonic unit (32A) to remove the hold placed on the one of the plurality of lines representative of line keys (44A, 44B, 44C) of the internal telephonic unit (32A

Abstract: When a subscriber A provided with a call-waiting service and connected to a subscriber B is called by another subscriber C and when the subscriber A responds to a call-waiting tone, the subscriber A is connected to the subscriber C and the subscriber B is held according to a procedure of the call-waiting service. If the subscriber B replaces the handset, a clearing intrusion tone (CIT) is sent to the subscriber A before changing a three-way connection to a connection between the subscriber A and the subscriber C, and the subscriber A notices that the held subscriber B is disconnected before attempting to communicate with the subscriber B and without having to rely on a busy signal.

Abstract: An integrated telephone system is provided, having a connection to a Central Office (CO) line and a connection to at least one secondary line. The CO line and/or the secondary line may be selectively accessed for two-way communication independently of each other and may be signalled for call waiting, call holding, and busy fuction. The accessing and selection are operative through a single subscriber telephone instrument. The entire system circuits are mounted on a single circuit board having pins for connection to common bus for combined use with a plurality of similarly constructed systems assigned to individual subscribers.

Abstract: A method of providing a visual indication to a first communication connection (CC) subscriber of the status of a telephone CC comprising the steps of providing ah icon on a display that represents the first CC subscriber, providing a call setup icon on a display representing a command to set up a CC, dragging the icon representing the first CC subscriber to the call setup icon, automatically displaying a directory of subscribers, dragging an identity of a second CC subscriber from the directory to the call setup icon, establishing a CC between communication apparatus used by the first subscriber and communication apparatus used by the second CC subscriber via subscriber's lines, changing the identity of the calls setup icon to a call icon, displaying an icon representing the second CC subscriber in the call icon, and displaying a new call setup icon, whereby icons representing CC subscribers of a call in progress are both represented and are visually discernible by the first CC subscriber in the call icon.

Abstract: A telephone system which offers a voice message service and which enables visual indication of waiting messages at subscriber locations using suppressed ringing connections through the switching network of the system and in which acknowledgement signals are provided to the system by the subscriber locations.

Abstract: An automatic release device for automatically releasing hold-on setting of an outside line call wherein a first telephone when having an outside line call from a second telephone and set to the hold-on state can be released from the hold-on setting by use of a sensing means detecting signals based on the hook-down at the second telephone slde. Further a transfer method for an outside line call, by using a conference call system served by Telegraph and Telephone Corporations wherein a running outside line call received from a second telephone by a first telephone through outside line wire is set to enable the conference call and the first telephone is set to the hold-on state so as to allow persons at the second and third telephones to talk with each other, wherein a sensing means for detecting signals based on hook-down of either of the second and third telephones is used to release the first telephone from the hold-on state.

Abstract: A hold displaying system includes plural multifunction telephone sets each of which has a hold indicator, and an exchange for accommodating the telephone sets. Each multifunction telephone set cooperates with the exchange to perform a hold display on the hold indicator of the respective multifunction telephone set. When information for a multifunction telephone set to which a hold display is forwarded is sent from a multifunction telephone set on a hold operating side to the exchange, the exchange transmits its hold display switching information to the multifunction telephone set to which the hold display was forwarded, whereby the hold indicator indicates the same hold display as that provided by the multifunction telephone set to which a hold display has been forwarded during its holding operation.

Abstract: A telephone communication enable state maintaining circuit is disclosed, and the circuit includes a communication circuit 10, a communication operating circuit 20 and an operation maintaining circuit 30. The communication circuit 10 includes contacts 3,4,5, and a condenser C.sub.1. The communication operating circuit 20 includes a resistor r.sub.1, a condenser C.sub.2, a transistor 6 and contacts R.sub.3 a, R.sub.3 b, R.sub.1 a, R.sub.1 b. The operation maintaining circuit 30 includes contacts R.sub.1 c, R.sub.3 c, a resistor r.sub.2, a condenser C.sub.3, and a transistor 7. According to the present invention, telephone calls from the outside can be received, even if the telephone receiver is placed in an abnormal manner.

Abstract: A telephone system which offers a voice message service and which enables visual indication of waiting messages at subscriber locations using suppressed ringing connections through the switching network of the system.

Abstract: A circuit for interfacing a host telephone system having a trunk line pair with a central office line pair and an additional circuit line pair includes a loop current monitor circuit for monitoring the host telephone system trunk line pair which is normally connected to the central office line pair. The loop current monitor provides a status signal output indicating the presence or absence of loop current. A relay controller receives the status signal and provides a relay control signal and a hold signal. A relay selectively connects the host telephone system trunk line pair to the additional circuit line pair in response to the relay control signal when loop current is detected after the host telephone goes off-hook. A hold termination circuit receives the hold signal and traps any loop current signals which may be detectable over the central office line pair.

Abstract: A push-button telephone dialing device for a telephone set has a push-button keypad with a plurality of keys which include a hold function key, and a telephone dialing integrated circuit including a key input signal generator wired to the push-button keypad and producing an appropriate key input signal corresponding to a key pressed on the push-button keypad. The key input signal generator produces a hold function key input signal whenever the hold function key is pressed. The telephone dialing integrated circuit further includes a speech network interrupt circuit which receives the hold function key input signal from the key input signal generator. The speech network interrupt circuit is wired to and controls the operation of a speech network of the telephone set.

Abstract: A telephone terminal disconnect accessory device for automatically disconnecting or hanging up the telephone at a first telephone terminal station when it is desirable to hold a conversation at a second telephone terminal station without having to return to the first telephone terminal station where the telephone was answered or from which a call was made, the device comprising a housing having at least two female modular jacks disposed in the walls thereof, and including an on/off switching means, a variable timing means, a latching relay means, a re-set switching means, and a transistor battery power supply.

Abstract: Modular hold circuits which may be independently connected to a telephone line and powered therefrom are provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Hold circuits connectable to a telephone line in the same manner as a telephone instrument are employed to detect an actuating signal generated at any telephone instrument in an off-hook condition connected to that telephone line. Upon detection of such actuating signal, an impedance is placed across the telphone line to establish a hold condition. The hold condition established may be released by placing any telephone instrument connected to a telephone line in an off-hook condition, however, if the telephone line is provided with a "call waiting" feature, such off-hook condition must be maintained for an interval exceeding that associated with a "call waiting" signal for the hold condition to be released.

Abstract: A telephone line bridging sensor circuit is provided which provides a variable output frequency signal to a microprocessor for measuring and storing the frequency count on a periodic basis. The circuit includes an isolation transformer to isolate the audio component of the telephone line from the sensing circuit. The loop current present in the telephone line is rectified through a full wave diode rectifier and the output of the rectifier is filtered and regulated to provide an input voltage to an astable, voltage controlled oscillator. As the current on the telephone line varies, the input voltage to the oscillator also varies a proportionate amount causing the output frequency of the oscillator to change accordingly.

Abstract: A radio telephone system such as a car telephone having a function of selectively allowing a party communicating with a user of the telephone system to transmit a voice signal to the user during a hold state set by the user. When a predetermined time elapses after a hold state is set by the user of the telephone system, the system allows the party to transmit a voice signal to the user even during the hold state.

Abstract: In a telephone system for performing channel control among telephones connected to a plurality of telephone lines, a call during a conversation between first and second telephones is placed on hold by a hold request from, say, the second telephone, and the call is capable of being transferred to a third telephone. It is also possible for the holding first telephone to instruct that the holding state be cancelled during the call transfer processing. When such a hold cancellation input from the first telephone is detected, the second telephone that requested the hold is so notified by an alarm. If the first telephone is subsequently hung up, the holding call is released and the connecting line of the first telephone is opened. When the second telephone cancels the holding state, the holding call is released and communication between the first and second telephones is restored.

Abstract: A telephone system with a clock includes a circuit which produces a first tone indicating a connection of a transmission line is on hold or that a preset time has arrived, and a different time announcing tone for announcing the arrival of the preset time while the connection of the transmission line is on hold. When a calling tone is to be produced upon reception of the call while the time announcing tone is emitted, the telephone system with the clock produces the calling tone in a manner different from the time announcing tone. Thus, it is possible to be alerted to both the time announcing tone and the holding tone and both the time announcing tone and the calling tone when either combination is initiated at the same time.

Abstract: A telephone on-hold device (10) for use with a telephone handset having a handpiece (18) with a mouthpiece (22) and an earpiece (16), the telephone on-hold device (10) comprising a switch (24) located in a housing (12), the housing (12) being dimensioned to receive at least the mouthpiece (22) of the handpiece (18) to actuate the switch (24), and an audio generation device (26) having an audio transducer (39) located in the housing (12) and arranged to be adjacent the mouthpiece (22), the switch (24) having a first switch component (24a) connected to actuate the audio generation device (26).

Abstract: A radio telephone apparatus comprising a main station connected to a wire telephone line and having a subsidiary telephone set, and a radio telephone set connected with the main station via a radio link, wherein the radio telephone set effectively or ineffectively controls a function of releasing the hold state by the off-hook operation of the subsidiary telephone set. By the operation of the radio telephone set, telephone communication can be switched between a self-hold state and a complete hold state. The self-hold state can be released only by the radio telephone set while the complete state hold can be released by any one of the radio telephone set and the subsidiary telephone set. In the complete hold state, the radio link between the main station and the radio telephone set is disconnected. If the complete hold state is released by the radio telephone set, the radio link is again established between the main station and the radio telephone set.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of telephone sets connected as branched to a central office line allows extension calling, privacy function setting and hold releasing operations between the telephone sets. Each of the telephone sets in the branched connection comprises keys through which a control data corresponding to a desired control operation is inputted, a transmission circuit for sending to the central office line a control signal corresponding to the control data inputted by the keys, a reception circuit for receiving the control signal from the line, and a control circuit for performing a predetermined control operation on the basis of the control signal received by the reception circuit, whereby the respective operations of the telephone sets are mutually controlled on the basis of the control signal.

Abstract: A problem has been encountered in directory assistance and intercept systems which provide automatic announcement facilities to announce a directory number or line status to a customer and which permit the customer to be subsequently connected to an operator if the announcement is unsatisfactory. In such systems, if the customer disconnects and immediately attempts to place another call, such a situation may be interpreted by the local switching system serving the customer as a "flash"; if the customer is provided with three-way calling then the connection to the directory assistance or intercept system is put into a hold state while the customer dials a new number. In the meantime, the directory assistance or intercept system, not being aware of the hold status of the connection to the customer, sets up a connection to an assistance operator who hears nothing. This "no voice" connection is costly and annoying to the assistance operator.

Abstract: A pair of interface devices, mounted externally to a pair of residential telephones, can place a temporary hold on the associated telephone line circuit. Each interface device interconnects a standard residential telephone with an associated telephone line circuit. In a two telephone arrangement to place the telephone circuit in a hold condition, the user throws a switch mounted on the interface device, and hangs up the handset (goes on hook). The switch places two indicator lamps across the two-wire line circuit to simulate an off-hook condition. To remove the hold condition, the user merely throws the same switch or the switch associated with one of the other phones in the residence. There is no need to return to the original phone first used to establish the hold.

Abstract: A cordless telephone system includes a connector connected to a subscriber telephone line and at least one radio telephone set through a radio channel to establish or hold a communication channel between the ratio telephone set and a subscriber. The connector includes a control unit incorporating a timer. The control unit sets the system in a self hold state in which the radio channel is kept connected or a complete hold state in which the radio channel is disconnected on the basis of a hold signal from the radio telephone set, the presence/absence of a radio reception signal within a predetermined period of time preset in the timer, and the type of reception signal.

Abstract: A communication apparatus such as a telephone set has a hold circuit for putting a telephone call from a communication partner on hold, a release circuit for releasing the telephone call from the on-hold condition, a circuit for informing the communication partner when the telephone call is released and a detect circuit for detecting when the communication partner whose telephone call is on hold breaks the line, e.g. by hanging up. The communication partner is informed of the release of the on-hold condition in accordance with such release and the detection of line break by the detect circuit.

Abstract: A telephone system which allows external releasing of a holding state set by a holding operation of a telephone set. A signal receiving circuit of the system receives a holding-state releasing signal such as a DTMF signal or the like sent from a central office line to release the hold state of the telephone set on the basis of an output of the circuit.

Abstract: A hold and dial monitor accessory is provided for use with a conventional telephone instrument connected across a subscriber service pair extending from a central office. The hold and dial monitor accessory is bridge connected across the telephone service pair and includes a manually actuable and releasable line seize switching circuit for controlling a line hold circuit connectable across a communications loop through the central office. The line seize switching circuit has an internally established time constant for automatic line release whenever a telephone handset is taken off-hook, and an audio amplifier and loudspeaking circuit is provided for amplifying audio information present on the telephone service pair during the interval when the line hold circuit is holding the communications loop.

Abstract: The system comprises an apparatus for signalling to a party on hold that the hold initiating party is ready to continue conversation. As soon as the hold initiating party places the other party on hold, the party on hold activates the system which causes a pre-recorded message to be transmitted back to the hold initiating party. The pre-recorded message invites the hold initiating party to produce a DTMF signal tone. The DTMF signal activates a tone detector which turns off the message generator and produces an audio and visual signal to alert the party on hold. In this manner the party on hold is free to pursue normal activities until such time as the hold initiating party is ready to talk.

Abstract: A solid state multi-function line switch for a telephone subset in which a controllable solid state switch in the subset's loop current circuit is controlled by a control circuit responsive to the telephone subset's signal functions such as hook-switch operation signals and loop current interrupt signals. An embodiment of a telephone subset circuit arrangement incorporating the line switch is disclosed.

Abstract: A key telephone system for use with at least two telephone lines that extend between a central office and two or more telephone stations. Each station is capable of responding to a manually-actuated hold select switch by establishing a hold condition on one of the lines and by connecting a line terminating impedance across the line that is to be held. Each station is further capable of monitoring the state of each line, and indicating the state of each line, without applying any indicating signals to the telephone lines. Each station furthermore determines threshold voltages for on-hook, off-hook and hold line states and determines line state by comparison of line voltage with such threshold voltages.

Abstract: A device for adding intercom functions to a residential or small business phone system uses existing telephone equipment and wiring. The device attaches to the incoming telephone line to switch telephone calls and generate user coded ringing signals. The invention allows the user to simultaneously use existing telephone equipment as an intercom system and for normal outside telephone use.

Abstract: A combination of fixed frequency audio tones and conventional dual tones (as generated by a DTMF telephone set), are used in the autoline control circuit of the invention. All tones are generated by the DTMF telephone set to systematically provide functions available to the subscriber without need for quad conductors in the in-house telephone line and mechanical disconnects. Low cost integration of the present invention into existing FCC tarriffed DTMF equipment and systems without adverse effects is a paramount requirement as the above-mentioned functions are carried out. Conventional jacks and plugs are used to place the parallel autoline circuit of the invention in parallel with the DTMF telephones and the conventional in-premises line connector.

Abstract: A telephone line hold and hold release circuit which, after a central office line which is connected to at least two telephone sets in a telephone terminal system has been seized in response to an incoming call and then placed on HOLD, releases that central office line from the HOLD condition in response to either (i) the re-closing of the hookswitch of the telephone set which seized the central office line, or (ii) the closing of the hookswitch of another telephone set connected to that central office line, or (iii) the release of the central office line by the caller.

Abstract: An office line can be held by a holding path including a thyristor in response to operation of a manual operating hold switch during a call by a telephone set in a direct connection telephone system. A voltage drop on the office line due to an off-condition of any one of the telephone sets in the system caused thereafter can be detected by a capacitor and the thyristor is thereby turned off to release the office line holding condition. The office line holding condition is indicated by a light emission diode, and a hold sound signal is sent out to the office line during the office line holding condition.

Abstract: A snubber circuit for use with hold circuits employed in telecommunication applications that employ an SCR as the principle control device. The included circuit prevents false hold turn on in response to static discharge. Voice band impedance and ringing signals are not adversely affected by the addition of the circuit to a standard SCR type hold circuit.