Telephone device and method for operating a telephone device

Telephone apparatus for transmitting and receiving audio signals, comprising:

• a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;
• speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;
• hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;
• a speakerphone switch;
• and
• control means, responsive to said hook switch means and to said speakerphone switch, for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition and for enabling said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition.

Telephone apparatus for transmitting and receiving audio signals, comprising:

• a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;
• speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;
• a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker;
• hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;
• a speakerphone switch;
• a headset switch with a first state and a second state;
• and
• control means, responsive to said hook switch means and to said speakerphone and headset switches, for enabling said second microphone and said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the first state and for enabling said second microphone and said third speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state, wherein said control means includes means for disabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state and means for reenabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

• speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;
• hook switch means for detecting off-hook and on-hook conditions of the handset;
• and a speakerphone switch;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• enabling the second microphone and the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition;
• disabling the second microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition;
• reenabling the second microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition;
• enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition;
• and
• enabling the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition.

A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

• speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;
• hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;
• and a speakerphone switch;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• enabling the first microphone and the first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition;
• and
• enabling the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition.

A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

• speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;
• a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker;
• hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;
• a speakerphone switch;
• and a headset switch with a first state and a second state;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• enabling the second microphone and the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the first state;
• manually operating an additional switch;
• automatically dialing a preselected telephone number in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state;
• and
• automatically enabling the second microphone and the third speaker in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state.

A modular telephone/dictation system disposable in respective modes of operation for use by a user to carry out different system operating functions including a dictation function and a telecommunication function, said system comprising:

• a recording module for recording dictation on a record medium;
• and
• a physically independent communication module connectable to said recording module to form an integral structure therewith and for transmitting and receiving audio signals telephonically, said communication module including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;
• speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;
• hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;
• a speakerphone switch;
• and control means, responsive to said hook switch means and to said speakerphone switch, for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition and for enabling said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition. PG,67

A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

• speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;
• a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker;
• hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;
• a speakerphone switch;
• and a headset switch with a first state and a second state;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• enabling the second microphone and the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the first state;
• and
• enabling the second microphone and the third speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state;
• enabling the first microphone and the first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state;
• and
• enabling the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state.