Telephone circuit controller apparatus

• US 6,980,634 B1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James R. Davis
• Original Assignee: James R. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, James R
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bing Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/272,199
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 379/156, 379/161, 379/164, 379/165, 379/168, 379/171, 379/188, 379/200, 379/377, 379/159, 379/383
• US Class Current: 379/156
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/70 Lock-out or secrecy arrangements in party-line systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7385 Programmable or microprocessor-controlled

Abstract

A controller selectively connecting and disconnecting extensions from a telephone line includes a plurality of extension connector ports selectively connected to a communication device and a plurality of relay switches. Each relay switch has three terminals and a toggle movable between connecting the first and second terminals and connecting the first and third terminals. Each first terminal is connected to a respective extension connector port. A processor is connected to an outside telephone line. Entry of a predetermined command code prevents use of the communication device connected to selective toggles. A plurality of tone detector modules each generate a command signal controlling the processor to connect a respective extension to the outside telephone line. A plurality of tone location identifiers are each activated upon receipt of a control signal from the respective tone detector module for generating a unique signal by which the processor distinguishes the extension connector ports.

Claims

1. A telephone circuit controller apparatus comprising:

a) a plurality of extension connector ports each selectively connected to a respective communication device;

b) a plurality of relay switches, each relay switch having first, second and third terminals and a toggle movable between a first position connecting said first terminal to said second terminal and a second position connecting said first terminal to said third terminal, said first terminal of each said plurality of relay switches being connected to a respective one of said plurality of extension connector ports; and

c) a processor connected to an outside telephone line wherein entry of a predetermined command code on one of the communication devices by a user causes said processor to move selective ones of said toggles from said first position to said second position thereby preventing use of the communication device connected to said selective ones of said toggles through a respective one of said plurality of extension connector ports;

d) a plurality of tone detector modules, each of said plurality of tone detector modules being connected between said processor and said second and third terminals of a respective one of said plurality of relay switches, said plurality of tone detector modules generating a command signal controlling said processor to connect a respective extension to the outside telephone line when a voltage detected thereby is equivalent to a predetermined voltage; and

e) a plurality of tone location identifiers, each of said plurality of tone location identifiers being connected between said processor and a respective one of said plurality of tone detector modules, said plurality of tone location identifiers being activated upon receipt of a control signal from said respective tone detector module for generating a unique signal by which said processor distinguishes said plurality of extension connector ports.

2. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said communication devices provide a first signal representing a communication devices in an off-hook position to a respective one of said plurality of tone detector modules when said toggle is in the first position, and a second signal representing a communication device in an on-hook position to a respective one of said tone detector modules when said toggle switch is in the second position.

3. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising a timer connected to said processor for counting a predetermined time period, said timer being activated upon entry of a command code on one of the communication devices for generating a command signal controlling said processor to move said toggle of a selected one of said plurality of relay switches form the first position to the second position upon expiration of the predetermined time period.

4. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising a timer connected to said processor for counting a predetermined time period, said timer being activated by the processor upon receipt of an off-hook signal from one of said tone detector modules, whereby, upon expiration of said predetermined time period, said timer sends a control signal to said processor for moving said toggle of one of said plurality of relay switches identified by a respective one of said plurality of tone location identifiers to said second position.

5. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said processor controls said plurality of relay switches to return to said first position upon receipt of a command signal representing that the attached communication device which provided the initial disable command is returned to the on-hook position.

6. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising an alarm connected to said processor for generating a unique audio signal representing each of said plurality of extension connector ports.

7. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said processor causes said alarm to generate an audible alarm signal indicating a time period remaining before said predetermined time period expires and said processor disables selected extension.

8. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said predetermined command code includes a personal identification signal, said personal identification signal being unique to each user.

9. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein each personal identification signal provides the user with a predetermined priority user status.

10. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising an alarm connected to said processor for generating audio alarm signals, upon receipt of an off-hook signal by said processor from one of said plurality of tone detector modules.

11. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein, each communication device is one of a fax machine, a computer modem and a telephone.

12. The telephone circuit controller apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined command code includes a plurality of digits, wherein one of the digits specifies a degree of priority for the user, the priority of the user determining the ability of the user to override previously input command codes.