Patents Examined by C. Champion
  • Patent number: 4703499
    Abstract: A distributed privacy oriented telephone extension system having up to three different kinds of privacy circuits of different capacity for coupling a respective extension phone to the telephone line. Selective user configuration of the telephone extension system effects one level of privacy control and spontaneous user control during conversation to disconnect or reconnect other phones effects a second level of user control relating to the extent of privacy achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Inventors: Arturo Fossas, Orlando Ruiz
  • Patent number: 4700385
    Abstract: A control apparatus for remotely controlling the operation of a telephone hand set when a hand set is remotely located from its associated base. The apparatus includes a housing having first and second connectors mounted thereon. The connectors respectively receive mating plug and are insertable into the hand set connector to connect the housing between the hand set/receiver cord and the plug in connector in the telephone hand set. A switch is mounted on the housing and includes a switchable contact connected in the ringing circuit of the telephone network for opening and closing the circuit upon each depression of the switch. In another embodiment, the switch is mounted directly in the telephone hand set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Donald J. DiSimone
  • Patent number: 4696031
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and discriminating among various signals indicative of progress while making a telephone connection. A particular waveform parameter known as peak factor is advantageously employed in a call progress analyzer. The illustrative call progress analyzer uses the average magnitude peak factor (ratio of the peak of the waveform to the average of the absolute value of the waveform) to distinguish among single-tone signals (e.g., special service information tones), double-tone signals (e.g., dial tone, audible ring, and busy), and speech. Waveform ON and OFF times (duration above and below an energy threshold) are combined with signal-type determinations (made using peak factor) to automatically determine the status of a call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Wang Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Freudberg, Marshall B. Garrison
  • Patent number: 4680783
    Abstract: A method and system for detection of authorized connections to a telephone line where such connections are for the purposes of intercepting voice or data messages. The original or base line impedance would be measured by the system in response to the entry of a special code. The base line is stored in memory and used for subsequent impedance comparisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eduard F. B. Boeckmann
  • Patent number: 4679229
    Abstract: A ringing detection circuit for accurately detecting a ringing having opposite polarities which arrive over a telephone subscriber's line. After the detection of the fact that the AC waveform of the ringing has reached a predetermined level in one of the polarities, variations in the waveform in that polarity are neglected until the waveform reaches a predetermined level in the other polarity. This allows a ringing to be detected with accuracy without responding to distortions of the ringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4675902
    Abstract: An electronic telephone instrument circuit capable of dialing (address signaling) in either pulse or tone mode. The circuitry permits the placement of a call through a rotary dial only system into a second network that is of a tone only nature. The included circuitry has very high return loss and relatively high level of tone capability and is designed to function with a variety of types of dialer integrated circuits. The present circuitry provides part of its DC current supervision while in the voice mode through the included tone amplifiers circuit thereby minimizing components and reducing current load through the voice network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eduard F. B. Boeckmann
  • Patent number: 4648109
    Abstract: A circuit providing a message waiting indication using a light emitting diode and a constant current surge protected circuit for use with PABX extension telephone instruments. Recently developed light emitting diodes operated with current of one milliampere or less are effectively used in the present circuitry which limits current to the device in the operating mode and also as low leakage current while in the "off" mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Communication Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Eduard F. B. Boeckmann