Repertory telephone dialing apparatus

• US 4,243,845 A
• Filed: 01/22/1979
• Issued: 01/06/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
• Inventors: Wong, Ting W., DeFilippis, John, Feinberg, Martin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brigance, Gerald L.
• Application Number:
  US06/005,540
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 179/90 B, 179/90 BD, 179/90 BB, 179/90 K, 179/90 AD
• US Class Current: 379/355.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27495 implemented by means of discrete electronic components, i.e. neither programmable nor microprocessor-controlled H04M1/27457-H04M1/2749 take precedence

Abstract

A repertory dialer provides instant recall of any one of a plurality of telephone numbers which are stored in a memory associated with the dialer. Each stored number is available at the touch of a recall button and an appropriate key button. The numbers as stored are automatically converted into Touch Tone signals for transmission via a conventional telephone line. The dialer can operate in a storage mode to enable a user to program a desired number to be stored in association with a particular key. The storage mode is accessed by means of a separate storage key. The apparatus further includes a last number storage mode wherein the last telephone number dialed by the apparatus can be recalled and retransmitted via a double depression of the recall key.

Claims

1. A repertory dialing system for a telephone subset comprising:

a keyboard array having a first set of 0 to 9 digit keys, a second set of digit keys, and an R key and an S key,

memory means having a plurality of accessible storage locations, each one capable of having stored therein a plurality of digits indicative of a telephone number,

first control means coupled to said memory means and responsive to the operation of said S key and the selection of either at least one of said first digit keys or one of said second digit keys to cause said memory to store, at a selected location indicative of said selected digit key or keys, a telephone number subsequently dialed by said first digit keys,

second control means coupled to said memory and responsive to a single operation of said R key and the selection of either at least one of said first digit keys or one of said second digit keys to cause said memory to retrieve a stored telephone number from a location indicative of said selected digit key or keys,

signal generating means responsive to said number as retrieved to generate a signal capable of transmission via a telephone line and indicative of said telephone number,

additional memory means operative to store therein a telephone number dialed solely by the operation of said first digit keys,

logic means coupled to said additional memory means and responsive to the multiple operation of said R key to cause said additional memory means to retrieve said telephone number as stored, and

means for coupling said logic means to said signal generating means to generate another signal indicative of said dialed telephone number as stored in said additional memory means whereby the last number dialed by said first digit keys is always stored in said additional memory means.

2. The repertory dialing system according to claim 1 wherein said signal generating means generates a signal consisting of predetermined frequency codes, each one indicative of one of said digits 0 to 9.

3. The repertory dialing system according to claim 1 wherein said second set of digit keys manifests emergency conditions to enable storage of a telephone number in said memory means indicative of an emergency condition, wherein each of said keys in said second set is associated with the same type of stored telephone number pertinent to an emergency condition, with at least one key for storing the number of the police, and another key for storing the number of the fire department to enable a user to rapidly place an emergency call.

4. The repertory dialing system according to claim 1 wherein said logic means responsive to the multiple operation of said R key provides an output signal when said R key is operated twice, and means responsive to said output signal to cause said additional memory means to retrieve said telephone number as stored.

5. The repertory dialing system according to claim 1 wherein said memory means has a plurality of accessible storage locations at least equal in number to the number of said first set of digit keys.

6. The repertory dialing system according to claim 1 wherein said memory means has a plurality of accessible storage locations at least equal in number to the number of said second set of digit keys.

7. The repertory dialing system according to claim 1 further including detection means coupled to said subset and operative to provide a first control signal when said subset is on hook and a second control signal when said subset is off hook.

8. The repertory dialing system according to claim 7 further including means coupled to said first control means for enabling the same during the presence of said first signal.

9. The repertory dialing system according to claim 7 further including means coupled to said second control means for enabling the same during the presence of said second signal.