Abstract: A voltage breakdown circuit is connected in series between telephone answering machine circuitry and a telephone line. The voltage breakdown device becomes conductive only when the voltage across its terminals exceeds a predetermined level. If a telephone connected to the same telephone line as the answering machine circuitry is placed in the off hook condition, the voltage across the voltage breakdown device falls below the threshold level and the answering machine circuitry is effectively cut off from the telephone line. The voltage breakdown circuit is also useful in defeating automatic recording equipment placed in parallel with a telephone. Such automatic recording equipment is automatically disabled whenever the voltage across the tip in ring terminals of a telephone line is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A device for enabling call forwarding instructions to be given from any telephone need be connected only to the phone line for which call forwarding service has been procured and does not require another phone line to communicate with the device. The device stores the call forwarding instructions in a recorder. The device detects the short ring that occurs on the procured service phone line when a call is forwarded and detects the long ring that occurs when call forwarding is not in effect. Upon detection of a short ring, the device seizes the procured service phone line and places a phone call to the phone line to which the previous call was forwarded. In an alternate embodiment, the device places the phone call to its own procured service phone line. In both embodiments, the device is reset to its stand-by state upon detection of a busy signal. Where a busy signal is not detected, the device transmits a signal that cancels call forwarding and triggers a timer.

Abstract: A telephone privacy circuit is disclosed. The privacy circuit preferably includes a voltage breakdown device which passes current only when the voltage across the device is greater than a predetermined value. The voltage breakdown device is connected in series with a telephone to be protected. The predetermined value is chosen to be lower than the line voltage across the tip and ring terminals of a telephone line when every telephone connected to that line is in the on-hook position. In one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined value is selected to be higher than the line voltage across the tip and ring terminals of the telephone line when a telephone connected to that line is placed on the off-hook condition. In another embodiment of the invention, a voltage breakdown device is connected to the gating element of an electronic latching device.

Abstract: A device for enabling call forwarding instructions to be given from any telephone in the system or in any connecting system need be connected only to the phone line for which call forwarding service is provided and does not require another phone line to communicate with the device. The device employs a ring detector to detect the short ring that occurs when a call is forwarded and to detect the long ring that occurs when call forwarding is not in effect. Upon the detection of one or more short rings, the device seizes the phone line, transmits a "73" signal that cancels call forwarding, and triggers a timer that starts upon a timing interval of preset duration. If another phone call is received at the device within the preset timing interval and an authorization code is transmitted within that interval, the device enables the call forwarding instructions stored in a recorder to be changed.

Abstract: A telephone call forwarding device enables call forwarding instructions to be given over the telephone for which call forwarding service has been procured from a second telephone line connected to the device. A ring signal detector, in response to a preselected number of rings on the second phone line, causes the second phone line to be seized for a short cycle period in which an authorization signal can be received by the device. If an authorization signal is received during that period, a long cycle timer is activated which maintains seizure of the second phone line for a long cycle period.

Abstract: An energy saving light switch is disclosed. The light switch includes a human actuable switch and a control circuit responsive thereto. The control circuit operates a light in a first timed mode in which the light is turned on for a predetermined period of time responsive to an initial actuation of the switch and operates the light in a second untimed mode in which the light is turned on for an indefinite period of time responsive to the actuation of the switch during a predetermined time window forming part of the predetermined time period.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting telephone calls placed onto a telephone line by a telephone set, wherein an off-hook condition begins operation of the apparatus and energizes a control circuit which provides a condition in which a call can be placed onto the telephone line. A disabling circuit responds to the control circuit and establishes a disabling condition on the telephone line which defeats a telephone call when it is of a restricted type. In one embodiment, the off-hook condition starts a time delay at the end of which a predetermined frequency is placed onto the line. The occurrence of this frequency signal onto the telephone line disconnects all long distance telephone calls beyond a specified local zone. In a second embodiment, each number entered onto the telephone line is counted, and when a predetermined count is reached the disabling circuit is operated to prevent further calling.

Abstract: A single master unit hold circuit which can be utilized for a single or a group of telephone instruments connected to a common telephone line. A single latching circuit is coupled to the telephone line. The establishment of the hold condition may be affected in the off-hook state of the telephone instrument. Each of the telephones of the group has associated signaling capability. Each telephone can generate an actuating signal directly onto the telephone line, which is then detected by the latching circuit, and in response thereto a hold condition is placed on the telephone line. The hold condition is affected via the telephone line, by a momentary actuation of a control circuit common to the hold circuit and the control circuit; the control circuit being a part of the telephone instrument call-out circuit network.

Abstract: A hold circuit for telephones which includes a relay having a coil and normally open contacts. A normally open momentary contact switch is connected in series with the relay coil, the series combination being connected across the telephone lines. The contact switch is connected in parallel to the normally open contacts of the relay. The hold circuit captures or holds the telephone lines when the contact switch is closed and permits the telephone lines to be released upon removing the telephone handset "off the hook." In one embodiment, a parallel connection of a lamp and a capacitor is connected in series between the relay contacts and the relay coil to form a voltage divider when the relay contacts are closed.

Abstract: A single master unit hold circuit which can be utilized for a single or a group of telephone instruments connected to a common telephone line. A single latching circuit is coupled to the telephone line. The establishment of the hold condition may be .[.affected.]. .Iadd.effected .Iaddend.in the off-hook state of the telephone instrument. Each of the telephones of the group has associated signaling capability. Each telephone can generate an actuating signal directly onto the telephone line, which is then detected by the latching circuit, and in response thereto a hold condition is placed on the telephone line. The hold condition is .[.affected.]. .Iadd.effected .Iaddend.via the telephone line, by a momentary actuation of a control circuit common to the hold circuit and the control circuit; the control circuit being a part of the telephone instrument call-out circuit network.