Abstract: A click-muting circuit for a headset microphone connected to a telephone, comprising a user operated mute switch, a click eliminator circuit connected across the microphone for gradually creating a short circuit across the microphone in response to closure of the mute switch, and a hard muting circuit connected in series with the microphone for disconnecting the microphone after the short circuit has been established.

Abstract: A telephone with an automatic muting circuit that mutes the microphone in response to detection of speaking pauses of the local user to reduce noise due to acoustical feedback that are detected by comparing the waveforms from the microphone and the audio speaker after being amplified by amplifiers with automatic gain control circuits to the same level with speech subtractor. During pauses when the signals compared are substantially the same, then automatic muting circuit is activated by the speech subtractor to mute the microphone but when the local user speaks into the microphone the subtraction of the waveforms does not yield a null result and the microphone is unmuted.

Abstract: A portable telephone communications system has a portable telephone terminal (300) and a repeater unit (100), and a remote receiver unit (200), wherein the repeater unit (100) includes a main power supply control device which includes detection means triggered by a signal from the telephone terminal arising on receipt of an incoming call, and including infra-red transmission means for transmitting the signal as a frequency-modulated signal to the remote receiver unit; the remote receiver unit (200) includes an infra-red receptor, demodulation means (205) and means for outputting the demodulated signals as audible voice signals, and further comprises a noise level comparator (209d) which compares the voltage of noise generated when no infra-red signals are received with a predetermined level and delivers an output signal when said voltage exceeds the predetermined level, and a time counter (210) which outputs a reset signal when the output from the noise comparator has been generated for a predetermined time i

Abstract: A method for removing a noise of a communication system, and more particularly, a method for removing switching noise generated during connecting and disconnecting a channel is provided. A method for removing switching noise during the start of communications includes the steps of calling a desired receiver by dialing the number of the desired receiver at a transmitter, connecting a channel of the receiver when the desired receiver responds to the call, muting a speaker of the receiver for a predetermined time after connecting the channel between the desired receiver and the transmitter, and connecting a channel of the transmitter after lapse of the predetermined time. Accordingly, the influence of the switching noise of the communication start and end is reduced by muting the respective transmitting and receiving terminals for the time interval generated during connecting and disconnecting the channel between the terminals.

Abstract: An enhanced telephony system for use in premises monitoring is disclosed. More particularly, such system provides an alert signal upon sensing of a predetermined condition of interest at a business or residential premises. The system provides for the receipt of a sensor signal at telephony service equipment, located at the premises in response to the sensing of a predetermined condition of interest. In turn, such telephony equipment is employed, in response to receipt of a sensor signal, to automatically provide at least one of a human-perceivable alert signal at the premises, or the initiation of a telephony call to a predetermined telephone number corresponding with the service control point maintained within a telephony services network. Preferably, the human-perceivable alert signal provided comprises a ringer cadence distinct from that employed in connection with the receipt of incoming telephone calls from third-parties.

Abstract: A telephone with a mute ringer function having an automatic disabling feature includes multiple call indicators including a ringer. A power output reducing device is connected to the ringer to reduce the ringer volume prior to a connection between the telephone and a remotely located telephone. A volume switch control unit is connected to the power output reducing device to reset the ringer volume to a level established prior to a volume reduction upon detecting either connectivity to the remotely located telephone or the termination of the connection. A selecting device selects an incoming call indicator prior to the connection to the remote telephone. A reverting device automatically reverts power to a previously selected incoming call indicator upon either establishing connectivity for the call or the termination of the call. In a preferred embodiment, the ringer power output reducing device and the ringer power output resetting device include a volume switch connected to the ringer.

Abstract: A technique for eliminating tone signal noise generated using a speakerphone, in which the communication path of a microphone is interrupted when a key is pressed, and then the communication path of the microphone is linked only after a constant time period after the key has been released, thereby eliminating the noise input through the microphone during usage of the speakerphone.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus can receive information about a third party sent from a telephone exchange with a call waiting service when a call is issued from the third party during a conversation using the telephone apparatus. Upon issuance of the call from the third party during the conversation over the telephone apparatus, the exchange sends out an alert signal, in response to which the telephone apparatus sends back an acknowledge signal. The telephone apparatus also mutes a speech transmitter circuit in order to protect calling party information such as a telephone number sent from the exchange in succession from being destroyed by a speech signal. The calling party information sent from the exchange can be received without fail and can subsequently be displayed.

Abstract: A telephone ringer control device selectively activates or deactivates a telephone ringer to silence a telephone during specified periods. The silent periods may be specified by a timer. In one embodiment, the ringer control device includes a remotely accessible activation circuit that allows the ringer control device to be programmed or overridden via a telephone line. In another embodiment, the ringer control device includes a caller identification to allow the user to block out all calls except for those originating from specified callers. The ringer control device may be mounted within the telephone housing, may be a stand-alone item, or may be incorporated in a telephone answering machine.

Abstract: A telephone having an answering function includes a receiving section for receiving a voice signal, a command signal, and a receiving signal from a telephone line, and providing the voice signal, the command signal, and the receiving signal as respective outputs; a sending section for sending a response message to the telephone line in response to the receiving signal; a storing section for storing the voice signal provided by the receiving section; a determining section for determining a time period during which the response message is sent to the telephone line; a judging section for judging whether the command signal provided by the receiving section is a predetermined command signal during the time period and generating a judging signal which indicates that the command signal is the predetermined command signal; an output section for converting the voice signal provided by the receiving section into a voice and for outputting the voice; and a prohibiting section for prohibiting the voice signal from being

Abstract: A communication apparatus having a plurality of audio CODEC and communication method thereof. When a coding mode for transmitting audio information is set, the audio CODEC corresponding to the coding mode is selected and switched. When the coding mode of the audio information is instructed from the terminal on the transmission side, the audio CODEC on the reception-side terminal is switched according to the instruction. When these audio CODEC are switched, generation of audio noise can be suppressed by setting the mute on the audio information.

Abstract: A cordless telephone includes at least one child unit and a mother unit. The mother unit transmits and receives a radio signal to and from the child unit. The mother unit includes first and second receiver circuits, a transmitter circuit, and a muting circuit. The first receiver circuit receives an UP-channel signal from the child unit and transmits the received signal to a telephone line. The transmitter circuit receives the signal transmitted via the telephone line from the counter party, and converts the signal received from the counter party into a DOWN-channel signal which will then be transmitted to the child unit. The second receiver circuit receives a broadcasting radio signal. The muting circuit mutes the output signal from the second receiver circuit. The muting circuit mutes the output signal derived from the second receiver circuit when either the UP-channel signal, or the DOWN-channel signal may give spurious interference to the second receiver circuit.

Abstract: A device for muting a ringer of a telephone, the device being placed in series with a telephone ringer and having a gate alterable between a non-conductive state and a conductive state whereby a ring signal is selectively passed to the ringer. A remote calling party may activate the conductive state by sending a first and last ring signal separated by a preselected time interval, dependent upon the selected mode of the device. The device includes a gate controlled by output signals from a pair of interactive timing mechanisms, referred to as a delay timer and a window timer. In a first ring mode, the delay timer is activated by a remotely generated first ring signal and disregards all subsequent ring signals during completion of its timing sequence (the delay sequence). In a last ring mode, the delay timer is restarted upon receiving each ring signal, thus completing the delay sequence only after the last ring signal is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and playing back a sales presentation is disclosed. A telephone interface device is connected to a telephone base, handset and recorder to permit recordation of a sales message using the telephone mouth piece as the recorder microphone. The recorded message has the same sound quality when transmitted over the phone lines as does a normal, live transmission. Transit to and from live and recorded voice is undetected by the party hearing the sales presentation over the phone. Use of the telephone interface device and the recorded sales presentation precludes fatigue and discouragement on the part of the telemarketing sales representative in the face of repeated repetitions of the same sales message and frequent rejections by prospective customers.

Abstract: A base station (102) automatically remotes to a speakerphone mode of operation and connects an incoming call while an external electronic device (104) is simultaneously controlled.

Abstract: A speakerphone for a telephone circuit includes an output stage that comprises a loudspeaker amplifier coupled to a loudspeaker through a coupling capacitor. An auxiliary circuit includes a reference input element that provides first and second reference voltages which are used to charge the coupling capacitor to a given level prior to the input signal being coupled to the loudspeaker through the coupling capacitor to insure a click-free switch-on of the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A foldable portable telephone set which allows switching between a speech holding condition and a speaking condition without the necessity of an operation of a key thereby to prevent an operation in error. An open or closed condition of a cover section relative to a body section is detected by means of a reed switch provided on the cover section, a magnet provided on the body section, and a detection circuit for detecting an on- or off-state of the reed switch. A speech holding condition is established when it is detected that the cover section is closed during speech. In the speech holding condition, manually operable keys are covered with the body section and not exposed outside.

Abstract: A telephone includes an EEPROM memory (26) for storing data, and a microcontroller (14) for controlling operations. The EEPROM (26) contains data for different operating protocols, so that the telephone can be readily adapted for use in different telephone systems. The EEPROM (26) draws a (small) line current when the telephone is in use, but requires no current to maintain its memories, so no standby power is required. Particularly if the telephone is for use in noisy environments, there can a mute/boost feature (30) whereby the receiver gain is boosted and the microphone is simultaneously cut off. This may be effectuated by use of the EEPROM (26).

Abstract: An enhanced telephony call waiting feature is provided wherein identifying information related to a third party wishing to converse with a first party already engaged in a conversation with a second party is spontaneously provided to the first party. The method comprises the steps of the local office sending a call waiting tone having predetermined characteristics to the first party and its apparatus responding thereto by muting its associated handset for a predetermined interval of time. The local office then transmits the identification data relating to the third party and the first party apparatus receives and displays to the first party the identification information related to the third party thereby allowing the first party to either accept or reject the waiting call in the conventional manner but also based on the displayed information.

Abstract: An output transducer and amplifier are shared between an audio system and a cellular Phone in an automotive vehicle. An interface arbitrates between the program audio signals and the phone audio signals to select or deselect each of the audio signals depending on the status of each audio source. When only one source is in use then normally the audio signals from that source are selected. If both sources are turned on but a phone call is not in progress, then audio signals from both sources are simultaneously presented to the output transducers after summing. When a call is in progress, only the phone audio signals are selected.

Abstract: A communication control console center, able to receive at least one phone call, has a ring tone mute button (103). To prevent indefinite or permanent muting of ring tones automatic disabling of the ring tone mute circuit is provided by a programmable timer (107). An automatic mute button (111) is presented to automatically disable ring tone muting at call termination.

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 lock-releasing apparatus for use in a telepone set, having a lock-releasing button (61) for a locking mechanism which locks a handset (41) stationarily to a cradle (42). The lock releasing button also actuates a muting switch (71).