Abstract: Crescendo telephone ringers and methods of providing a crescendo telephone ring signal. The crescendo telephone ringer provides a gradual increase in audible ringing volume as a sequence of incoming electrical ring signals is detected. According to one embodiment, upon receipt of an incoming call, a first audible ring signal corresponding to a first detected electrical ring signal is set to a minimum volume. Subsequent audible ring signals corresponding to subsequent detected electrical ring signals are set to increasing volume levels, and finally to a maximum ringer volume.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which can be physically connected underneath a guest telephone in a hotel. The apparatus is set up with interconnection logic and a networking card so as to allow for a notebook computer to interconnect with a local area network in the hotel. The apparatus is set up to switch between sending a voice data from the guest telephone or computer data packets from the notebook computer across the hotel room telephone wire.

Abstract: A circuit for notifying a PBX that a data port in a telephone connected to the PBX is about to be used. The circuit comprises a current sensor for generating a signal that indicates a modem is drawing current through the data port. A large resistor limits the current being drawn through the data port to a level that does not indicate an off-hook condition to either the PBX or the modem. In response to the signal generated by the current sensor, a separate telephone circuit provides an off-hook condition that draws a first dial tone from the PBX. A microprocessor in the circuit generates a signal that causes a dialer in the telephone circuit to dial a number that notifies the PBX that the modem is attempting to access the PBX through the data port. After the PBX is notified of the imminent data port usage, it presents a second dial tone on line two which is the dial tone for an outside line.

Abstract: A message waiting circuit comprised of a pair of electrical leads which carry a message waiting signal, a capacitor for storing electrical energy extracted from the message waiting signal, a transistor for allowing the capacitor to charge when the message waiting signal is within a predetermined range; a Darlington transistor for causing the capacitor to discharge; and a light emitting diode (LED) which emits light when the capacitor discharges. The flashing LED indicates that a message is waiting for a user of the telephone set associated with the message waiting circuit. Approximately ten to twenty-five message waiting circuits and associated telephone sets can be connected to a single telephone line.