Headset in-use indicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A telephone headset in-use indicator, comprising:
- a headset having a microphone coupled to a telephone base unit by first and second transmit signal lines and having a receiver coupled to a telephone base unit by first and second received audio signal lines;
a transformer and amplifier circuit, coupled to said first and second received audio signal lines, said transformer and amplifier circuit producing an amplified received audio signal;
an audio level detector, coupled to said transformer and amplifier circuit and responsive to peaks in said amplified received audio signal exceeding a first predetermined threshold to produce current pulses;
an integrator circuit, coupled to said audio level detector, said integrator circuit producing an integration signal reflecting a time-average of said current pulses produced by said audio level detector;
a comparator, coupled to said integrator, said comparator responsive to excursions of said integration signal above a second predetermined level to issue an activation signal having a predetermined digital logic level;
a switch coupled to said comparator and to a battery, said switch being responsive to said issuance of said activation signal by said comparator to apply a DC voltage from said battery to said first received audio signal line;
an LED flasher circuit, coupled to said received audio signal lines and responsive to said DC battery voltage on said first received audio line to provide a visual indication of headset use.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A headset telephone having an in-use indicator for notifying passers-by when the wearer of the headset is carrying on a telephone conversation. In one embodiment of the invention, an in-use indicator comprising a light-emitting diode is disposed on the end of the headset'"'"'s voice boom, and is illuminated in response to activation of the headset. In another embodiment of the invention, activation of the headset causes a transmitter to transmit a signal to a remote in-use indicator not physically connected to the remainder of the telephone system.
49 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A telephone headset in-use indicator, comprising:
-
a headset having a microphone coupled to a telephone base unit by first and second transmit signal lines and having a receiver coupled to a telephone base unit by first and second received audio signal lines; a transformer and amplifier circuit, coupled to said first and second received audio signal lines, said transformer and amplifier circuit producing an amplified received audio signal; an audio level detector, coupled to said transformer and amplifier circuit and responsive to peaks in said amplified received audio signal exceeding a first predetermined threshold to produce current pulses; an integrator circuit, coupled to said audio level detector, said integrator circuit producing an integration signal reflecting a time-average of said current pulses produced by said audio level detector; a comparator, coupled to said integrator, said comparator responsive to excursions of said integration signal above a second predetermined level to issue an activation signal having a predetermined digital logic level; a switch coupled to said comparator and to a battery, said switch being responsive to said issuance of said activation signal by said comparator to apply a DC voltage from said battery to said first received audio signal line; an LED flasher circuit, coupled to said received audio signal lines and responsive to said DC battery voltage on said first received audio line to provide a visual indication of headset use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A telephone headset in-use indicator, comprising:
-
a headset having a microphone coupled to a telephone base unit by first and second transmit signal lines and having a receiver coupled to a telephone base unit by first and second received audio signal lines; an amplifier circuit, coupled to said first and second received audio signal lines, said amplifier circuit producing an amplified received audio signal; an audio level detector, coupled to said amplifier circuit and responsive to excursions of said amplified received audio signal above a first predetermined threshold to produce current pulses; an integrator circuit, coupled to said audio level detector said integrator circuit producing an integration signal reflecting a time-average of said current pulses produced by said audio level detector; a comparator, coupled to said integrator and responsive to excursions of said integration signal above a second predetermined level to issue an activation signal having a predetermined digital logic level; a switch coupled to said comparator and to a battery, said switch being responsive to said issuance of said activation signal by said comparator to apply a DC voltage from said battery to said first received audio signal line; a visual indicator, coupled to said received audio signal lines and responsive to said DC battery voltage on said first received audio line to provide a visual indication of headset use. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification