Receiver Or Handset Position Responsive (e.g., Hookswitch) Patents (Class 379/424)
  • Patent number: 11170741
    Abstract: An approach is provided for rendering items in a user interface. The approach may, for instance, include utilizing a current orientation mode to determine one or more current orientation angles of a device prior to an attitude change, determining whether the attitude change from the determined one or more current orientation angles satisfies an attitude change threshold to switch to another orientation mode, wherein the another orientation mode is one of a landscape, portrait or flat orientation mode, and in an instance in which the determined attitude change satisfies the attitude change threshold, causing, at least in part, a rendering of one or more representations of one or more items in a user interface of the device based on the another orientation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Sreejumon Purayil, Mark Fulks, Venkata Ayyagari, Pankaj Jain, Jerry Drake, Gabriel Nava-Vazquez, Adetokunbo Bamidele, Srikanth Challa, Kenneth Walker
  • Patent number: 10859400
    Abstract: A communication console may include a moveable plunger including a body and an arm. The arm may connect to and extend away from the body. A first element may be coupled to the arm. The first element may include a top point and a bottom point, the axis of displacement extending between the top point and the bottom point. The first element may move with the arm along the axis of displacement. A second element may be detached from the arm and positioned adjacent to the axis of displacement. Additionally, one of the first element or the second element may be a sensing element and another may be a detectable element. The sensing element may sense a spatial position of the detectable element and output an indication of a position of the plunger based on the spatial position of the detectable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sorenson IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: D. Mark Parry, Craig Nelson
  • Patent number: 10848608
    Abstract: Provided is an instantaneous-interruption prevention device and a telephone that can more effectively prevent instantaneous interruption of a call due to an impact. The instantaneous-interruption prevention device includes a latch part that operates so as to come into contact with a hook button of a telephone when receiving an impact, and the latch part stops motion of the hook button by coming into contact with the hook button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyota Kubo, Masaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10155483
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior to position a mobile device in the vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a base and a mechanism coupled to the base with a shelf configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position. The shelf may support the mobile device in the extended position. The base may comprise a storage area and the mechanism may cover the storage area when the shelf is in the extended position. The mechanism may descend from the base to move the shelf from the extended position to the retracted position. The mechanism may comprise a lower arm coupled to an upper arm by a pin and a spring. The lower arm may slide and rotate to move the shelf between the retracted position and the extended position. The component may comprise a locking mechanism to lock the shelf in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Catlin, Thomas Scott Hodgson
  • Patent number: 9716780
    Abstract: A telephone device is disclosed. The telephone device has a base, a magnetic field generating device, an ear set, a magnetic sensor and a controller. The base has an ear set accommodating area. The magnetic field generating device situates with the base and generates a magnetic field. The ear set detachably connects with the base. The ear set has a magnetic conducted element. The magnetic sensor situates with the base for detecting the magnetic field. The magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor is reduced due to interference of the magnetic conducted element when the ear set situates at the ear set accommodating area. The controller electronically connects with the magnetic sensor and determines whether the eat set is situated in the ear set accommodating area based on the change of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Pegatron Corporation
    Inventors: Fen-Ming Yang, Chun-Cheng Chang, Wei-Chun Hung
  • Patent number: 8928723
    Abstract: A mobile terminal capable of recognizing at least one of the presence or absence of a user and a location of the user are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a terminal main body; a user tracking unit configured to recognize at least one of the presence or absence of a user and a location of the user within a certain range based on the terminal main body; and a controller configured to generate a control signal for controlling a function of the terminal based on at least one of the presence or absence of the user or the user location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunho Kang, Jinhee Lee, Areum Park, Hanbee Kim, Younga Kim, Taeryung Rhee
  • Patent number: 8891755
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a telephone set and a method of controlling off-hook/on-hook state of a telephone set, and belongs to the field of communications devices. The telephone set includes a handle and a host, where the handle includes a first switch, and the host includes a second switch. According to the present disclosure, the first switch is added on the handle of the telephone set, the second switch is correspondingly added into the host of the telephone set, and a state of the first switch is used to control the second switch to send an off-hook/on-hook signal, so as to enable the telephone set to be off-hook/on-hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiaoqiao Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140105380
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a telephone set and a method of controlling off-hook/on-hook state of a telephone set, and belongs to the field of communications devices. The telephone set includes a handle and a host, where the handle includes a first switch, and the host includes a second switch. According to the present disclosure, the first switch is added on the handle of the telephone set, the second switch is correspondingly added into the host of the telephone set, and a state of the first switch is used to control the second switch to send an off-hook/on-hook signal, so as to enable the telephone set to be off-hook/on-hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiaoqiao CHENG
  • Patent number: 8538489
    Abstract: In order to facilitate an operation for talking, a mobile communication terminal includes first and second LCDs which display images, the first LCD being changed in state between an open state where a display surface of the second LCD is exposed and a closed state where the display surface of the second LCD is covered by the first LCD, a state detecting portion which detects the open/closed state of the first LCD, a destination number accepting portion which accepts a telephone number of a call destination while the open state is being detected by the state detecting portion, and a communication control portion which originates a call to a telephone number accepted by the destination number accepting portion (S08) when the closed state is detected by the state detecting portion (YES in S07) after the telephone number has been accepted by the destination number accepting portion (S05).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Kayoko Sawada, Tatsuhiko Abe
  • Patent number: 8422665
    Abstract: A telephone device includes a base, a light transmitter, a light penetrating element for penetrating light transmitter from the light transmitter, and a handset. When an end of the handset is on-hook with the base, the end of the handset reflects the light emitted from the light transmitter and penetrating through the light penetrating element back to the light penetrating element. The telephone device further includes a light receiver for receiving the light reflected from the handset when the end of the handset is on-hook with the base, a light concentrating element for concentrating the light emitted from the light transmitter to the light penetrating element, and a control unit for determining whether the end of the handset is on-hook with the base according to whether the light receiver receives the light reflected from the handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: I-Ming Chen, Kun-Liang Lai, Yi-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 8374595
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device and an operating method thereof are provided, in which at least two sets of sound outputting modules and sound receiving modules are disposed in the handheld electronic device. The operating method detects an orientation of the handheld electronic device by a motion detecting module and enables different sets of the sound outputting modules and the sound receiving modules according to a variation of the orientation of the handheld electronic device, so as to change a direction of a call operation, and thus a user can successfully make a phone call, even if the handheld electronic device is held upside down. Furthermore, the operating method can control the sound outputting modules and the sound receiving modules individually or collectively according to actual demands to achieve a multifunctional product design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Ling Chien, Hsiao-Chuan Huang
  • Patent number: 8326368
    Abstract: In order to facilitate an operation for talking, a mobile communication terminal includes first and second LCDs which display images, the first LCD being changed in state between an open state where a display surface of the second LCD is exposed and a closed state where the display surface of the second LCD is covered by the first LCD, a state detecting portion which detects the open/closed state of the first LCD, a destination number accepting portion which accepts a telephone number of a call destination while the open state is being detected by the state detecting portion, and a communication control portion which originates a call to a telephone number accepted by the destination number accepting portion (S08) when the closed state is detected by the state detecting portion (YES in S07) after the telephone number has been accepted by the destination number accepting portion (S05).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kayoko Sawada, Tatsuhiko Abe
  • Patent number: 8145244
    Abstract: A method and system are presented for sensing a physical position of a cordless handset with respect to a base unit. A dataset of measured line currents may be initialized. A line extension may receive a number for use in determining the position of an associated cordless handset. Stored on-base-unit and off-base-unit line currents may be accessed. A determination may be if the cordless handset is positioned on the base unit, and in response to a determination that the handset is in contact with the base unit, a desired task may proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventor: Amar Nath Ray
  • Patent number: 7864035
    Abstract: A phone, method, and system are presented for determining whether a cordless handset is positioned on a base unit of a cordless telephone. An on-base unit signal may be generated in response to a cordless handset being positioned in contact with a base unit of a cordless telephone and an off-base unit signal may be generated in response to the cordless handset not being positioned in contact with the base unit. The on-base unit signal or the off-base unit signal, depending upon the position of the cordless handset, may be communicated over a communications network with which the base unit is in communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventor: Amar Nath Ray
  • Publication number: 20100074435
    Abstract: Emergency call system by which a caller can automatically call other parties to leave an emergency message, includes an emergency call unit having a memory for storing telephone numbers to be called and the emergency message, an emergency key, and a microprocessor for controlling storage of the numbers and emergency message in the memory, setting each number to be dialed in sequence, delay dialing of each number for a period of time (without first detecting a dial tone) to assure that an outgoing call can be made on the telephone line, and dialing the numbers in sequence upon activation or the emergency key. The emergency call unit starts a transmission of the emergency message to the dialed number to automatically advise of an emergency after a predetermined time after the number has been dialed and no busy signal has been detected during a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Elliot BAUM, Gilbert I. Starr
  • Patent number: 7636429
    Abstract: In providing call backup of a VoIP terminal, where the VoIP terminal connected to a VoIP network is automatically provided with a PSTN backup function, the on the hook state is deferred for a predetermined time period even when the on the hook state is required to be performed while a user makes an urgent communication, and a ring tone signal transmitted from a PSTN can be detected even when the telephone connected to the VoIP terminal is in a VoIP mode state. Simultaneously, the telephone connected to the VoIP terminal senses the hook state of the telephone in the state of the PSTN, and can be automatically connected to the VoIP network upon the VoIP terminal being on the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hwan Kwak
  • Patent number: 7567667
    Abstract: An inmate telephone for use by inmates of a prison or a mental institution comprises a housing having an opening and a telephone body supported within the housing. The telephone body supports an earpiece and a mouthpiece. The telephone body may have an inmate-adjustable portion that extends out of the opening and is movable to an inmate-adjustable position. The telephone body may have a generally spherical shape that is rotatable to an inmate-adjustable position relative to the housing. A height-adjustment mechanism may mount the telephone body to a wall of the prison or the mental institution to an inmate-adjustable height relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Harlie D. Frost
  • Patent number: 7433715
    Abstract: A mobile telecommunications system has a handset and a headset for connection to the handset. The handset includes an RF transceiver for transmitting an outgoing call and receiving an incoming call, and a processor coupled to the RF transceiver that provides audio signals on a first audio path to an audio transducer in the handset and on a second audio path for an audio transducer in the headsets. The headset and handset include respective button switches arranged that the operation has the effect both of initiating and/or accepting a call, and of routing audio signals to the respective first or second audio paths. Embodiments are described including a separate switch for toggling the audio paths, and automatic sensors for detecting use of the headset or handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Agere Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Robert Buckley, Nic Andrew Redshaw, Richard Peter Verney
  • Patent number: 7212842
    Abstract: Portable electronic apparatus is disclosed having a sensor for sensing the portable electronic apparatus coupled in intimate proximity to a rest. The rest may be a desk top, car instrument panel top or a special stand for the portable electronic apparatus. The portable electronic apparatus also has an inhibitor which inhibits operation of or locks the portable electronic apparatus, when the sensor senses absence of intimate proximity to the rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: James Nicholas Seymour
  • Patent number: 6980645
    Abstract: A filtering device for a narrow-band terminal in a private installation connected to an access network carrying narrow-band services (analogue or ISDN) and broad-band services (xDSL or HomePNA). The device has a low-pass filter associated with an insulation enabling the device to have a high input impedance insulating the installation when the narrow-band terminal is on hook while allowing the ringing signal to pass. Applicable to private telephone-teledata installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: France Telecom SA
    Inventors: Alain Rahyer, Alain Bencivengo, Vincent Durel
  • Patent number: 6940968
    Abstract: A telephone apparatus comprises a first audio input device, a second audio input device, a first audio output device, and a second audio output device. The telephone apparatus is operative to couple the first audio input device and the first audio output device to a first telephone line. In response to a first signal, the coupling between the first audio input device and the first telephone line is modified, and the second audio input device and the second audio output device are coupled to a second telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Ira Lipton, Robert Derrick Gourdine
  • Patent number: 6751316
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Mitel Corporation
    Inventor: Nikola Gligoric
  • Patent number: 6735453
    Abstract: A headset storage device includes a headset cradle, a switch and a manual override device. The headset cradle has two positions: a first position when the headset cradle is supporting a headset and a second position when the headset cradle is not supporting a headset. The switch couples the audio signal to the alternate audio system when the headset cradle is in the first position and to the headset when the headset cradle is in the second position. The manual override device forces the headset cradle into one of the two positions regardless of whether the headset cradle is supporting a headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Bobisuthi, Lawrence W. Gollbach, Robert J. Bernardi, Steven F. Burson
  • Patent number: 6704416
    Abstract: A line card circuit using a pair of comparators such that the output of the first comparator is coupled to an input of the second comparator through an RC circuit. The RC circuit is tuned such that short transients, such as false pulses and false off hook indications passed by the first comparator are not passed by the RC circuit to the second comparator. The input of the first comparator is coupled to the subscriber line and the output of the second comparator is coupled to the switch's hook status detection circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Sciabica, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6678374
    Abstract: Activating a switch by a handset where the switch is manually activated when the user wishes to answer an incoming call. While the switch is in the deactivated state, the handset transmits to a sound card within a personal computer a multi-frequency tone which is detectable by the sound card. When the manual switch is activated, the handset ceases to transmit the multi-frequency tone to the sound card. The sound card detects the absence of the multi-frequency tone to determine if the handset is answering a call. In traditional telephony terms, when the manual switch is activated, this is the offhook condition. When the manual switch is deactivated, this is the onhook condition . When the user is done with the call and deactivates the manual switch, the handset again generates the multi-frequency tone that is subsequently detected by the software via the sound card. Then, the software knows to signal the other party on the call that the call has been terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Gary Becker
  • Patent number: 6650751
    Abstract: Deactivating a switch in a handset when a user wishes to answer an incoming call or terminate a call. A sound card within a personal computer transmits a hook tone that is above the human hearing range to a transmitter section of the handset. When the switch is in the activated state, the handset re-transmits the hook tone back to the sound card which converts the hook tone to digital information so that the hook tone can be detected by software running in the personal computer. When the manual switch is deactivated, the handset ceases to re-transmit the hook tone back to the sound card. The software detects the absence of the hook tone to determine if the handset is answering the incoming call. In traditional telephony terms, when the manual switch is deactivated, this is the offhook condition. When the manual switch is activated, this is the onhook condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Becker
  • Patent number: 6647248
    Abstract: A cradle that secures a removable device, a body, two side surfaces and two face surface are provided on one face surface, and a movable hook is provided on the other face surface. At least one of the surfaces which has a different designation than the surfaces on which the tabs and hook are located, is equipped with a button, one end of which is equipped with a first slide surface. A slider is provided whose one end has at least one second slide surface and whose other end engages the movable hook(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones, Ltd.
    Inventors: Annett Ortscheid, Thomas Fuhrmann
  • Patent number: 6310955
    Abstract: A system for setting a wireless handset to an offhook condition when the handset is moved during the presence of a specified condition, such as an incoming call. A signal is sent to the handset to indicate an incoming call. If the handset is moved during the pendency of the incoming call, a sensor sends a signal to a controller indicating movement of the handset. A dedicated circuit may be employed to send an offhlook signal only when a movement threshold has been detected. If the signal reaches a predetermined threshold, the controller sets the handset to an offhook condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Mark David Reeves
  • Publication number: 20010024500
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated battery for a portable telephone. The integrated battery includes a battery for the portable telephone and a flashlight powered by the battery. The battery has at least one exposed surface as mounted to the portable telephone and the flashlight is mounted to be substantially flush with the at least one exposed surfaces of the battery so as to project a beam of light axially of the portable telephone. The battery enclosure further includes an ON/OFF switch disposed on the at least one exposed surfaces of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Richard Sharpe
  • Patent number: 6289100
    Abstract: A communications station for use in a distributed audio system having two Hall-effect integrated circuits mounted on a printed circuit hook switch board, the hook switch board mounted within a handset cradle of the communications station. The Hall-effect integrated circuits place the communications station on-hook or off-hook, depending on the amount of ambient magnetic flux. The ambient magnetic flux varies with the presence or absence of a handset in the cradle. Thus, if a handset containing a magnet is in the cradle, and the applied magnetic flux is greater than the predetermined flux necessary to affect the Hall-effect integrated circuit, the communications station will go on-hook. When the handset and the resultant flux is removed from the cradle, the Hall-effect integrated circuit will change state and the communications station will go off-hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David T. Ritter, Charles M. Farmer
  • Patent number: 6212276
    Abstract: An apparatus sets a telephone to an on-hook state. The telephone has a base with at least one cavity forming a cradle for a handset The telephone also has a handset with an operative surface including a mouthpiece microphone and an earpiece speaker. A first surface of the handset is opposite to the operative surface. The apparatus includes a first arm having a surface, and the first arm responds to the surface being pressed by a portion of the handset being positioned in the base. The first arm moves to actuate an on-hook switch to set the telephone to the on-hook state. The surface of the handset which presses the first arm is the operative surface or the first surface. The first arm responds to the handset having the operative surface facing away from the base. The first arm also responds to the handset being positioned entirely out of the cradle by extending from a first slot in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Coby Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Inoue, Michael J. Poindexter, Sang Hoon Oh
  • Patent number: 6192231
    Abstract: A telephone apparatus connects to a telecommunications network via an exchange line. It has signal recognition for detecting and recognizing calling line identity (CLI) and called number identity (CNI) signalling transmitted over the exchange line. The apparatus causes an incoming call to be transferred to a second exchange line in response to specified CLIs and/or CNIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventors: Ian David Chapman, Stephen John Buttery, Simon Walker
  • Patent number: 6091812
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for connecting a headset alternately to a telephone line and an audio device. The apparatus includes an audio connector for connecting the apparatus to the audio device, a telephone connector for connecting the apparatus to the telephone line, and a headset connector for connecting the apparatus to the headset. The apparatus also includes a switching circuit connected to the audio, telephone and headset connectors. The switching circuit connects the telephone connector to the headset connector in response to sensing a voltage greater than a predetermined threshold on the telephone line. When the voltage sensed returns to a value less than the predetermined threshold value, the switching circuit reconnects the headset connector to the audio connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: David Iglehart, Leland Lester, Elie Antoun Jreij, Luc Truong, William E. Levene
  • Patent number: 6052573
    Abstract: An off-hook/on-hook signal discriminating means 5a is provided in a control portion 5 of the FSU in order to make discrimination between a pulse dial signal and a hooking signal. When a telephone turns to an off-hook state after an on-hook state and turns to an on-hook state again and the on-hook state is continued for a predetermined time, the FSU performs a terminating process so as to be returned into a standby state. When an off-hook signal is detected again in a time smaller than a predetermined time, the FSU recognizes that the signal is either a dial pulse signal or a hooking signal, and the off-hook/on-hook signal discriminating means 5a monitors the time required for detecting an on-hook signal again. When the time required for detecting an on-hook signal again is smaller than the predetermined time, the FSU decides that the signal is a dial pulse signal, and controls a tone generating circuit 7f to stop the dial tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ohmori, Tsutomu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6041119
    Abstract: A handset detection device for use in telephones comprises a movable member 2, a circuit board 4, a detector 5, and a cushioning member 3. The movable member 2 has a concave portion 28 on a contact surface 2A, in which the cushioning member 3 is so fitted as to protrude toward the circuit board 4 by a predetermined amount. When the movable member 2 is rotated toward the circuit board 4 upon placement of a handset 8 onto a handset holding base 9, the cushioning member 3 is deformed by the contact with the circuit board 4 to reduce the moving speed of the movable member 2. The movable member 2 is then stopped by making the contact surface 2A come into contact with an upper surface 4A of the circuit board 4. Accordingly, the movable member 2 can be stopped at a predetermined position, whereby to prevent detection failure by a detection sensor 31 in connection with the movable member 2, achieving a precise detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kato, Masahiko Sasa
  • Patent number: 6009166
    Abstract: A hookswitch actuator including an activating mechanism which maintains the hookswitch circuit of a telephone in an "on hook" state when the activating mechanism is in a first position, or in an "off hook" state when the activating mechanism is in the second position. The movement of the activating mechanism between the two positions is accomplished through the use of a shape memory alloy mechanism. The shape memory alloy mechanism is coupled to the activating mechanism in such a way that heating or cooling of the shape memory alloy mechanism moves the activating mechanism between its two positions. Control of the heating and cooling of the shape memory alloy mechanism is effectuated by controlling the amount of electric current passing through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred I. Polito, Robert V. Davies, Gerald W. Skulley, Michael D. Perry, Kevin A. Sawyer, Brett A. Herscher, Robert J. Bernardi
  • Patent number: 5835585
    Abstract: Hook conditions of a handset of a telephone apparatus which includes a telephone apparatus base having an inside and an outside are sensed by providing a beam of radiation outside of that telephone apparatus base. The handset is placed in that beam of radiation outside the telephone apparatus base in an on-hook condition of that handset on the telephone apparatus base. An off-hook condition of the handset is signaled by removing that handset from that beam of radiation while removing such handset from the telephone apparatus base. A method of preventing eavesdropping through microphone and earphone of a handset of a telephone apparatus opens a circuit of either the microphone or the earphone and short-circuits either the earphone or the microphone, respectively while the handset is on-hook on a base of that telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Dynametric, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan P. Morse
  • Patent number: 5784458
    Abstract: A telephone includes a telephone body, a handset and a telephone network line hold mechanism. The telephone body includes a handset cradle on which the handset is placed, a plurality of operation buttons and the like. The telephone is placed in the offhook state when the user lifts the handset from the handset cradle and placed in the on-hook state when the user places the handset on the handset cradle. The telephone network line hold mechanism is energized when the user places the handset on the telephone body at its position in which the offhook state of the telephone is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shizuo Adachi, Junko Hirata, Hiroshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5778061
    Abstract: The invention concerns a switching device for a telephone set having a handset enabling an auxiliary device to be substituted for the handset. In an embodiment, the switching device includes a casing provided with at least one compartment, the compartment being intended to receive one end of the handset. The compartment includes a switch actuated by the presence of the handset which triggers the aforementioned substitution. The invention finds application in hands-free telephoning and teleconferencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Prescom
    Inventors: Philippe Parment, Dominique Dubournais
  • Patent number: 5724667
    Abstract: A portable telephone includes a main body of the telephone, a transducer (preferably an earphone) contained in the main body so that it can be removed therefrom, a cord connecting the transducer and the main body, and a switching mechanism. The portable telephone further comprises transmitting means and a transmission/reception circuit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching mechanism switches between an off-hook state and an on-hook state in conjunction with the removing and containing of the transducer from and into the main body of the telephone preferably through the delivery or taking up of the cord from and into the main body of the telephone. In a second embodiment, the portable telephone further includes a hinged lid which is rotatably supported to close an opening provided in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Furuno
  • Patent number: 5592529
    Abstract: An inadvertent-off-hook-condition detecting apparatus for use with a telephone connected to a telephone system is described. The telephone has a hookswitch which connects the voice network of the telephone system across the input lines to the telephone when the hookswitch is in an off-hook position, and which disconnects the voice network from the telephone input lines when the hookswitch is in an on-hook position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph Linsker
  • Patent number: 5391928
    Abstract: In a switching circuit for use in a mobile telephone device in controllably transmitting a speech signal to a radio transmission unit through an output terminal (312), a first switch (31) is controlled by a control signal which is supplied to a control terminal (32) with a high level and a low level of putting the first switch in a conductive and a non-conductive state when a second switch (36) is put in its off and on states. A capacitor (35) is connected between the control terminal and the output terminal in order to make the switching circuit have a low output impedance when the first switch is put in its off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Tomiyori, Hidetoshi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 5337353
    Abstract: Capacitive proximity sensors are disclosed that can be fabricated in different shapes, sizes and materials used in a wide variety of applications. Each such sensor includes a sensing electrode and a guard electrode. The sensor electrode and guard electrode can be parallel conductors separated by an insulating layer, such as a double-sided circuit board shaped to suit the application. One such sensor is transparent for use in conjunction with an optical bar-code scanner. Another sensor is annular in shape for use in conjunction with a telephone transmitter. The sensing electrode and the guard electrode are driven in unison by an RF signal. The proximity of an object to the sensor is observed by detecting changes in the RF current flowing through the sensing electrode caused by the proximity of an object to the sensing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Robert A. Boie, Gabriel L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5283546
    Abstract: A call box (201) provides vandal-resistant operation by using a concealed magnetic switch and magnet (179) and specially locked compartments (101 and 103) in a heavy duty structure. The concealed magnetic switch determines the position of a handset (119) within the call box (201). When the handset (119) is removed from its resting position, a radio (129) within the call box (201) responds when a pushbutton (127) within the call box (201) is pressed. When the pushbutton (127) is pressed, telephone service is provided via a radio (129) to a preprogrammed phone number, such as the highway patrol for a call box (201) located on a highway, to handle situations such as a malfunctioning vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Shlomo Scop, Jack K. Galbraith, Efi Rushinek, Martin Ferester
  • Patent number: 5228075
    Abstract: A telephone set capable of selectively accepting callers and enabling partial recognitions of callers is disclosed, and the telephone set includes: tip and ring terminals; a first analogue switch connected to said tip terminal; a first bridge diode connected to the first analogue switch and the ring terminal; a wave rectifying circuit connected to the first bridge diode; a microprocessor connected to the wave rectifying circuit and the first analogue switch; an EEPROM connected to the microprocessor; a hook switch connected to the microprocessor; a selecting switch connected to the microprocessor; a second bridge diode connected to the tip and ring terminals; a hybrid IC circuit connected to the second bridge diode; a DTMF decoder connected to the hybrid IC circuit and the microprocessor; a power supply means for supplying the required power to the internal circuits; and a second analogue switch and a microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang T. La, Dong K. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5168982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch device which is suitable for use, for example, in a telephone to detect the presence of the handset (11) in the cradle (9). The switch device comprises a frame (3), a switch (4) movable in relation to the frame, and a separate plunger (2) acting on the switch, the plunger comprising a press knob (5) and a spring part (6). The plunger operates by bringing the switch (4) into the connecting position and by releasing it, after the pressure has ceased, to return to the initial position. It is essential in the invention that the spring part (6) of the plunger comprises a part which is against the switch (4) and is wider than the switch, is of a resilient material and hollow. This part (6) may be made up, for example, of a transverse sleeve or ring as an extension of the press knob (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Pekka Hakanen, Ari Leman
  • Patent number: 5159628
    Abstract: A device for detecting the hooking off of a telephone handset from a telephone set body, comprises an elongated part (8) provided with hinges (11) rotating around a longitudinal axis (10); a key (6), constituted by a lateral extension of said part and positioned so as to protrude through the upper wall of the body in a raised position; a return spring (15) for urging said key in a raised position; and a push-button switch (12) fixed on said part, the button (13) of which glides on an internal surface of the base to pass from a first state to a second state when the handset is hooked off and on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Sextant Avionique
    Inventors: Juan Agelet, Gabriel Olivares
  • Patent number: 5086452
    Abstract: A mobile unit is normally disposed in a predetermined positional relationship with a base unit connected to a wired line. For example, the mobile unit is mounted on the mobile-unit receiving part of the base unit. If the predetermined positional relationship is changed, it is detected by means of a detector such as a electrical, mechanical, or optical detector. In response to the detection of a change in the predetermined positional relationship, a radio link may be established between the base unit and the mobile unit or a communication link may be established between the mobile unit and a calling party. Furthermore, in response to the detection of the change, the mobile unit or the base unit may be partly or entirely powered so as to establish the radio link or the communication link. When the mobile unit is reset to a position in the predetermined positional relationship, it is detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koichi Ito, Masanori Toba
  • Patent number: RE34200
    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 (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: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: International Teleservice, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen W. Vogl, Steven C. Poe, John H. MacNeill, Douglas J. Buron
  • Patent number: RE41702
    Abstract: A headset storage device includes a headset cradle, a switch and a manual override device. The headset cradle has two positions: a first position when the headset cradle is supporting a headset and a second position when the headset cradle is not supporting a headset. The switch couples the audio signal to the alternate audio system when the headset cradle is in the first position and to the headset when the headset cradle is in the second position. The manual override device forces the headset cradle into one of the two positions regardless of whether the headset cradle is supporting a headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Bobisuthi, Lawrence Gollbach, Robert Bernardi, Steven F. Burson