US 4,203,011 AGranted

Computer controlled key telephone station set

AssigneeTIE/Communications, Inc.

InventorFrank A. Coviello

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Abstract

A key telephone set is disclosed having a programmed digital computer which signals a central switching and control unit of a key telephone system of the status of a plurality of function switches and receives signals from the central switching and control unit that certain electrical connections and visual indicators in the key telephone set are to be initiated or controlled. Two independent audio communication circuits are provided in the key telephone set for interconnection to either the hybrid network of the handset or the built in speakerphone unit. Central office lines are accessed via individual function switches. Intercom calls are initiated via one function switch, and are answered hands-free via the speakerphone or are answered via the hybrid network. A wide range of features are signalled via the function switches and are visually monitored by means of visual indicators. The key telephone set may be used interchangeably with either dial pulse signalling units or tone signalling units.

Claims25

Dependent claims

In a key telephone system having a key service unit for connecting a number of central office lines to a plurality of key telephone station sets and for providing switching control and signalling functions in the key telephone system, at least one key telephone station set comprising:

a plurality of switch means operative, when actuated, to generate status signals indicative of desired key telephone services,
at least one conversion means for converting sounds to audio frequency electrical signals and for converting audio frequency electrical signals into sounds,
power receiving and distributing circuit means,
signal receiving circuit means for receiving time-division multiplexed signals from the key service unit and transmitting said time-division multiplexed signals to a stored program digital computer means in said key telephone station set
said stored program digital computer means for generating, in response to said status signals, further time-division multiplexed signals which periodically indicate the status of each of said switch means, and for generating communication circuit control signals in response to the time-division multiplexed signals from the key service unit,
signal transmitting circuit means for receiving said further time-division multiplexed signals from said stored program digital computer means and transmitting said further time-division multiplexed signals to the key service unit,
function control circuit means operative in response to said communication circuit control signals received from said stored program digital computer means to connect said at least one conversion means to either a first communication circuit or a second communication circuit, both said first and second communication circuits connecting said at least one key telephone station set to the key service unit through which said at least one key telephone station set may be connected to any of a plurality of telephone or intercom lines, and
dial signalling means.

5 more elements

A key telephone station set comprising:

at least one conversion means for converting sounds to audio frequency electrical signals and for converting audio frequency electrical signals into sounds,
a plurality of switches, each of said switches, when actuated, being operative to produce a signal indicative of a desired key telephone service,
a plurality of visual indicating means, each associated with one of said switches, for indicating the status of the key telephone services associated with said switches,
power receiving and distributing circuit means,
signal receiving circuit means for receiving time-division multiplexed signals from a key service unit and transmitting said time-division multiplexed signals to a stored program digital computer means in said key telephone station set
said stored program digital computer means for generating further time-division multiplexed signals which periodically indicate the status of each of said switches in response to the signals produced by said switches, and for receiving time-division multiplexed signals from said signal receiving circuit means and, in response thereto, controlling the illumination of each of said visual indicating means to provide a visual indication of the status of each of said switches and generating communication circuit control signals,
signal transmitting circuit means for receiving said further time-division multiplexed signals from said stored program digital computer means and transmitting said further time-division multiplexed signals to the key service unit,
function control circuit means operative in response to said communication circuit control signals received from said stored program digital computer means to connect said at least one conversion means to either a first communication circuit or a second communication circuit,
both said first and second communication circuit connecting said key telephone station set to the key service unit through which said key telephone station set may be connected to any of a plurality of telephone or intercom lines, and
dial signalling means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.