At&t Bell Laboratories

At&t Technologies, Inc.

Howard H Longenecker

David C Goldthorp

David M Embree

David R Vogelpohl

An electronic tone ringer provides a distinctive ringing capability through the use of two oscillators which allow selection of four tones and four modulation rates. In determining the type of tone generated, formattable inputs select between frequency shift or amplitude modulation modes or disabling the modulation altogether to generate a single tone. In the frequency shift mode, two fundamental frequencies are generated which are related by a predetermined ratio, the output tone alternating between these two frequencies at one of four selectable modulation rates. In the amplitude modulation mode, a single frequency is switched on and off at the selected modulation rate. All of the tones are produced with a duty cycle appropriate for driving an electromagnetic acoustic transducer.

Electronic tone ringer with distinctive signaling circuitry

An electronic tone ringer responds to ringing signals on a telephone line while being unresponsive to dialing pulses or other signals on the line. Powered directly from the telephone line or alternatively from an external DC supply, the ringer uses a digital integration and detection arrangement for distinguishing between valid and invalid ringing signals. A distinctive ringing capability for the tone ringer is also available through the use of two oscillators which allow selection of four frequencies and four modulation rates.

Growing community of inventors

Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Howard H Longenecker