Patents Examined by Stafford D. Schreyer
  • Coin fraud prevention unit and modular configurations for pay telephone stations
    Patent number: 5007079
    Abstract: A pay telephone station having a lower housing coin chute (14) which is provided with a coin fraud prevention unit (10) in the form of a thin base (15) arranged in a slot (11) of a coin channel cover plate (12). The base (15) is provided with a pawl (23) having a tooth (24) with a chamfered face ( b 25) which is biased into the path of a coin passing through a coin path (39) by a torsion spring (26). An anchor (59) for connecting a handset (56) to the upper housing coin dial unit (50) of the station includes a base with apertures (63, 64) and a V-shaped body (65) with a notch 66 defined between surfaces (69, 70). A long thumbscrew member (74) with a textured gripping surface connects the anchor (59) to a projector (51) integral with the upper housing (50). The handset cord assembly (A) is first passed through an aperture (54) in the projection (51) and then through the aperture (64) in the base (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: International Teleservice Corporation
    Inventors: Allen W. Vogl, Steven C. Poe, John H. MacNeill, Douglas J. Buron
  • Coin telephone message and management system
    Patent number: 5007077
    Abstract: A coin telephone message and management system is provided for use at a central office location of a telephone system with a plurality of conventional remotely located coin telephone stations and with, or in place of, an automated coin subsystem to which the coin telephone stations are otherwise connected by coin trunks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Conway Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Fields, Mark E. Stamos, Lawrence T. Pena
  • Polar co-ordinate digitizer
    Patent number: 5004870
    Abstract: An improved polar co-ordinate digitizer where a cord is extensible from a base unit and moves a cord guide to provide an angle measurement and is also wrapped on a drum whose movement reflects a length measurement. The winding drum is mounted on a common center or shaft with the angle arm on which the cord guide is located. Both rotate separate disks which have their peripheries a bar-code pattern. These are above the drum and cord guide so as to allow unrestricted angular movement of the cord. Light-emitting diode and photo detector means sense the bar-patterns to provide length and angle parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: John J. Osborn
  • Digitizer stylus having side switch
    Patent number: 5004871
    Abstract: A stylus having a pressure sensitive side switch for use with digitizer apparatus is disclosed. The pressure sensitive side switch is activated by the application of pressure thereto substantially normal to the axis of the stylus by the finger of a user. In the illustrated embodiments, the pressure sensitive switch comprises a movable element, and the switch provides a signal related to movement of the movable element substantially normal to the stylus axis. The switch output in the preferred embodiment is linearly related to movement of the movable element. The switch may comprise a magnet and a Hall-effect device mounted in the stylus for movement relative to each other. The pressure sensitive side switch may be used to control line width, coloring, gray scaling, Z-axis input, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Summagraphics Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander M. Purcell
  • Method and apparatus as for testing a telephone line interface card
    Patent number: 5005197
    Abstract: A telephone line card tester operates by transmitting test data to the digital port of a telephone line interface card, and by subsequently receiving the data which is transmitted from this card through the same digital port. Once received, the data pattern is compared with an expected data pattern. A difference between the received data and the expected data is indicative of a defect in the telephone line interface card. To meet telephone line interface card timing consideration, the transmission of data to the interface card and the analysis of data received from the card are performed by separate subsystems. To accomplish this task, the telephone line interface card is tested in a test fixture which includes a digital line interface card tester, and a communications test set. The communications test set is used for such functions as ring generation and line simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Communications Test Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald J. Parsons, Brian D. Greenwald, John J. McGrath, Stephen W. Andrasko
  • Digitizer tablet with pressure stylus
    Patent number: 5004872
    Abstract: A digitizer tablet using a pressure-sensitive pointing device preferably containing a linear transducer is provided with the means to convert linear pressure signals to logarithmically-related output counts. The conversion means is programmable to allow outputting of a logarithmically or a linearly related count for use by an application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Summagraphics Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel G. Lasley
  • Self-diagnosis of loop start and ground start trunk interfaces
    Patent number: 5003573
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sectionalization and self-diagnosis of loop start and ground start trunk interfaces without intervention from host telephone company equipment. The inventive method entails the use of an isolation relay in the trunk circuit to isolate the trunk circuit electrically from the physical medium and to apply various signals to portions of the isolated trunk circuit to carry out specific self-diagnostic tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Rolm Systems
    Inventors: Michael D. Agah, Michael E. Locke
  • Method and apparatus for the billing of value-added communication calls
    Patent number: 5003584
    Abstract: A call billing method and apparatus specifies, on a call-by-call basis, the calling charges incurred by a caller during a call to a sponsor-provided value-added service. The method provides the sponsor real time access to rate tables to specify call billing parameters needed to rate calls made to a sponsor number. A billing number is determined and validated and used to identify the party to receive a billing record for the call. A separate billing record is created for each call to the sponsor's number which includes sponsor-specified charges determined using the call billing parameters. Another feature enables the caller or called party to provide call billing parameters for billing and identificaiton purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Irving Benyacar, Elizabeth V. Courte, Albert Friedes, Thomas P. Howe, David D. Kaufman, James R. Magura, Rachelle E. Rees, Pamela A. Steinert, Mohan Venkataramana, Yong Zhou
  • System for the payment of telephone calls in a private self-switching unit
    Patent number: 5003585
    Abstract: A telephone system uses a badge which contains electronically stored data including information about pre-paid credits. When a call is made, data is read from and into the badge to leave a credit balance standing in the badge after the charges for a call have been deducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventor: Louis Richer
  • Distributed optical fiber device for digitizer tablet
    Patent number: 5001306
    Abstract: An optical device comprising a sheet of optical fibers having different lengths so that the fiber ends are distributed uniformly over a given area. The device is mounted in a digitizer tablet above or below its electrode array. When light is pumped into the free fiber ends, a pattern of light spots are formed which can be spread out to illuminate the tablet's working surface. When driven by a light pen, a similar optical device can be used to locate the light pen for menu-picking functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Summagraphics Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander M. Purcell
  • Apparatus for testing and sparing linecard equipment in a telecommunications exchange
    Patent number: 5001741
    Abstract: Each wire of a subscriber's line is connected to its associated input of a subscriber's line unit by two interconnected relay contact sets. The relay contact sets are also connected to test busses. If a subscriber's line unit becomes faulty, a spare subscriber's line unit can be switched in to replace the faulty unit. The connection path is made by way of the test busses and the relay contact sets associated with the respective units. Test access paths may also be provided from the busses to the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: GEC Plessey Telecommunications Limited
    Inventor: Michael J. Sayer
  • Coordinates input apparatus
    Patent number: 4999461
    Abstract: A coordinates input apparatus has a tablet including X- and Y-direction position detecting portions having a multiplicity of loop coils arranged in parallel with one another in X- and Y-directions, respectively, the X- and Y-direction position detecting portions being superposed one on the other. The apparatus also has a position appointing device incorporating a tuning circuit capable of making resonance with electric wave produced from one of the loop coils. The loop coils are successively selected in a one-by-one fashion and an A.C. signal of a predetermined frequency is supplied to the thus selected loop coil. The electric wave causes a tuning of the tuning circuit in the position appointing device so that a voltage of a frequency substantially the same as the above-mentioned predetermined frequency is generated in the loop coil which is near the position appointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Azuma Murakami, Teruyoshi Hagiwara, Yoichi Tuchida, Hideki Johno
  • Position determining and digitizing method and device
    Patent number: 4999462
    Abstract: A coordinate determining system, tablet, and method wherein the tablet is formed of a sequence of triangular electrodes extending in a first direction, with alternate electrodes having their apexes extending in opposite directions perpendicular to the first direction, and the bases of alternate electrodes are aligned to define the sides of the tablet. The cursor is round, having a diameter substantially equal to the length of the bases of the electrodes, and is adapted to be electrostatically coupled to the electrodes. Signals are sequentially applied to the electrodes and voltages generated at the cursor are employed to address look up tables for determining the location of the cursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Summagraphics Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander M. Purcell
  • Telephone accessory
    Patent number: 4998271
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a telephone including, in one embodiment, a detector for detecting when the telephone is in an off-hook condition and disconnect circuit for eliminating the off-hook condition when the off-hook condition is caused by the telephone so that phone calls may be received by the line. An alarm responsive to the detector produces a warning of the off-hook condition if another phone on the line is off hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Venture Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Tortola, Donald C. Miffitt, Charles S. Sebor
  • ISDN dual bus extension phone system
    Patent number: 4998274
    Abstract: Several ISDN telephone terminals in a passive bus configuration are enabled to be used to share a single voice communication in the familiar extension phone arrangement by means of a second bus connecting the analog sides of the terminal circuits. Once an incoming or outgoing voice call has been established at one of the number of ISDN terminals located on the premises, any others of such terminals may join the conversation by simply completing an off-hook connection by way of the analog bus. In conversion of premises to ISDN systems, the abandoned conventional telephone wiring may be employed as the analog bus. Conventional analog phones may also be utilized with ISDN voice terminals via the analog bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Bell Communications Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Ephraim
  • Digitizer tablet with split-current conductor array
    Patent number: 4996393
    Abstract: An electromagnetic digitizer system employing an interleaved array of individual conductors each in a W configuration bent into plural sections to define plural parallel portions distributed in different segments of a tablet such that each section comprises a center conductor portion connected in series with outer parallel portions such that the current in the center conductor portion splits or divides among the outer conductors and also flows in the opposite direction. Each of the plural sections defines two tablet coarse positions for a pointing device. Interpolation is employed to determine a fine position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Summagraphics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Zalenski, Jamie L. Barbetti
  • Apparatus for testing spare line circuits in a communication system
    Patent number: 4996702
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing a sparing line circuit in a communication system, comprised of a test access concentrator circuit and relay circuitry for connecting the sparing line circuit thereto. The test access concentrator circuit includes a hookswitch polarity detector for detecting the presence of DC battery feed current flowing from the sparing line circuit, and the direction of flow of battery current, and termination circuitry for providing one of either a DC or ANI termination to the sparing line circuit for sinking the DC battery supply current. Signal outputs from the hookswitch polarity detector circuit provide an indication of whether or not the sparing line circuit is present, and if so whether the sparing line circuit has been connected with correct polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Mitel Corporation
    Inventor: J. Warren Whitesel
  • Superconductor magnetic image detection device
    Patent number: 4996392
    Abstract: A magnetic image detection device which measures a magnetic image in the first or second dimension by using a superconducting body. In the magnetic image detection device, multiple band-shaped superconducting bodies are provided in parallel on a nonmagnetic dielectric substrate, and electrodes are provided on both ends of the superconducting bodies so as to form pairs. A detection circuit detects resistance between the electrodes on both ends of the multiple superconducting bodies according to intensity of external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takao Tagawa
  • Key telephone system adapted to respond to information stored in a portable outpulser
    Patent number: 4996708
    Abstract: There is provided a key telephone system for transmitting and receiving a dial number by a peculiar control signal between a main unit and an extension telephone. The system comprises: an extension telephone; a main unit; an analyzing unit for analyzing an audio signal; and a calling unit for calling in accordance with the result by the analysis of the analyzing means. The calling unit generates a dial pulse. When a calling request from the extension telephone is detected, the main unit connects the extension telephone and the analyzing unit. Information generated by an electronic apparatus via which the dial number can be independently registered from an extension telephone of the KTs is analyzed and calling or displaying can be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Kakizawa
  • Method and apparatus for keyboard adaptation to a low power controller in a coin operated telephone
    Patent number: 4995110
    Abstract: A standard keyboard or keypad for a coin operated telephone is connected to balance an artificial line rather than the actual phone line. The artificial line simulates operating conditions at the end of the loop regardless of whether the phone that the keyboard is in is actually near or far from the central office. As a result, the standard keyboard can be operated using a current at or near its designed minimum operating current. Additionally, a microcontroller for controlling the operation and decoding of the keyboard is programmed to have a small duty cycle of on time during decoding so that the bulk of the power normally used by the microcontroller can be switched to the keyboard when it is detected that a key is depressed. Thus, a line powered low power controller can be used in conjunction with a standard keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick J. McGarry