Gte Communication Systems Corporation

Gte Business Communication Systems Inc.

Gte Automatic Electric Incorporated

Louis W Smith

Janos I Csapo

John S Csapo

Ann L Wolf

John G Wagoner

A secretarial telephone station for use with a secretarial answering system and a switching system which includes a plurality of subscriber telephone stations each equipped with a buzzer. The secretarial answering system is connected to the subscriber stations and transmits subscriber station busy, idle and ringing status and line identification information to the secretarial station. The secretarial station includes a lamp and switch pair for each associated subscriber station, first and second processing units, and an audible signalling circuit. The first processing unit receives this information according to a link bus protocol for packetized messages. The second processing unit receives this information and causes the lamp associated with each of the subscriber stations to display dark, lit or flashing signals corresponding to the idle, busy and ringing status. The second processing unit also causes the audible signalling circuit to provide a ringing tone whenever a lamp is flashed. In response to operation of the switch associated with a called subscriber station, the second processing unit transmits a directed call pickup and a call transfer message to the switching system which route the subscriber's incoming call to the secretarial station for screening. A buzzing requested message is then transmitted to the secretarial answering system via the first processing unit according to a link bus protocol for packetized messages. The buzzing requested message informs the secretarial answering system to cause the subscriber station's buzzer to provide an audible signal indicating that the current incoming call has been screened by a secretary.

Secretarial telephone station with distributed processing for use with a

A circuit which prevents a telephone station from being used for unauthorized toll calls while allowing toll calls to be made when preceded by authorized passwords. When the telephone station is in the toll restriction mode of operation a microprocessor disconnects the tone generator from the keypad and provides audible and visual error signals upon detection of operation of the '0' or '1' keypad buttons. Upon detection of simultaneous operation of the '1' and '2' keypad buttons, the microprocessor provides audible and visual signals to prompt entry of a password. If a valid password is entered, the telephone station enters the unrestricted mode of operation and the toll restriction circuit is disabled until the handset is returned to the on-hook position after termination of the subsequent toll call. Upon detection of prolonged operation of the '1' keypad button, the telephone station enters the password update mode of operation and the microprocessor provides visual and audible signals to prompt entry of the old password followed by a double entry of the new password to ensure correct entry of that new password.

Toll restriction circuit for an electronic telephone station

A secretarial answering system for use with a switching system which includes a plurality of subscriber telephone stations each equipped with a buzzer, and a secretarial telephone station equipped with an audible signalling circuit and a plurality of lamp and switch pairs. A first processing unit periodically scans line circuits to determine changes in the busy, idle or ringing status of the subscriber stations. A second processing unit converts status and line identification information from parallel to serial format, and transmits it to the secretarial station via a link bus protocol for packetized messages. The secretarial station then provides visual and audible indications of subscriber station status. The secretarial station transmits a switch initiated directed call pickup or a call transfer message to the switching system, and a buzzing requested message to the second processing unit. The directed call pickup message identifies the subscriber station whose incoming call is to be transferred to the secretarial station for screening. The call transfer message identifies the subscriber station which is to receive a screened call. The buzzing requested message is converted from serial to parallel format by the second processing unit and is then sent to the first processing unit. The first processing unit is thus informed to cause the called subscriber station's buzzer to provide an audible signal indicating that the current incoming call has been screened by a secretary.

Secretarial answering system with distributed processing

A data entry and display control circuit for use in a telephone having a keypad and a plurality of features and pushbuttons. Each button can be programmed to execute one of the features. The telephone also includes a microprocessor and visual and audible prompting devices. These devices are operated by the microprocessor in response to prolonged operation of a selected pushbutton. Keypad initiated programming signals are then provided to both identify the feature to be assigned to the selected pushbutton and to control display functions. The microprocessor subsequently causes the assigned feature to be performed in response to momentary operation of the selected pushbutton. It also causes the cursor to move in response to the display function control signals.

Data entry and display control circuit

A secretarial answering system for use with a switching system which includes a plurality of subscriber telephone stations each equipped with a buzzer, and a secretarial telephone station equipped with an audible signalling circuit and a plurality of lamp and switch pairs. A line circuit is connected to each subscriber station and monitors its busy, idle and ringing status. A processing unit periodically scans the line circuits to determine changes in the status of the subscriber stations. This processing unit then transmits subscriber station status and identification information to the secretarial telephone station. The secretarial station uses this information to provide visual and audible indications of subscriber station status. In response to operation of the switch associated with a called subscriber station, a directed call pick up or a call transfer message is transmitted by the secretarial station to the switching system. A buzzing requested message is also transmitted to the processing unit in association with the call transfer message. The directed call pick up message identifies the subscriber station whose incoming call is to be transferred to the secretarial station for screening. The call transfer message identifies the subscriber station which is to receive a screened call. The buzzing requested message informs the processing unit to cause the called subscriber station's buzzer to provide an audible signal indicating that the current incoming call has been screened by a secretary.

Secretarial answering system

A secretarial telephone station for use with a secretarial answering system and a switching system which includes a plurality of subscriber telephone stations each equipped with a buzzer. The secretarial answering system is connected to the subscriber stations and transmits subscriber station busy, idle and ringing status and line identification information to the secretarial station. The secretarial station includes a lamp and switch pair for each subscriber station, a processing unit and an audible signalling circuit. The processing unit receives this information and causes the lamp associated with each of the subscriber stations to display dark, lit or flashing signals corresponding to the idle, busy and ringing status. The processing unit also causes the audible signalling circuit to provide a ringing tone wherever a lamp is flashed. In response to operation of the switch associated with a called subscriber station, the processing unit transmits a directed call pickup or a call transfer message to the switching system. It also transmits a buzzing requested message to the secretarial answering system in association with the call transfer message. The directed call pickup message identifies the subscriber station whose incoming call is to be transferred to the secretarial station for screening. The call transfer message identifies the subscriber station which is to receive a screened call. The buzzing requested message informs the secretarial answering system to cause the subscriber station's buzzer to provide an audible signal indicating that the current incoming call has been screened by a secretary.

Secretarial telephone station for use with a secretarial answering system

A circuit which unlocks the signaling circuit of a feature telephone station after it has been locked. A microprocessor disconnects a tone generator from an associated keypad upon detection of operation of a lock button. The microprocessor subsequently connects the tone generator to the keypad upon detection of operation of the lock button and a predetermined master unlock code provided via the keypad. The microprocessor also connects the tone generator to the keypad upon detection of operation of the lock button followed by simultaneous operation of a predetermined plurality of telephone feature buttons.

Master unlock circuit for an electronic telephone

A telephone feature assigment circuit for use in a telephone having a plurality of features and pushbuttons. Each feature can be assigned to a selected one of the pushbuttons. The telephone also includes a microprocessor and visual and audible prompting devices. These devices are operated by the microprocessor in response to prolonged operation of a selected pushbutton. Keypad initiated signals are then provided to identify the feature to be assigned to the selected pushbutton. The microprocessor subsequently causes the assigned feature to be performed in response to momentary operation of the selected pushbutton.

Growing community of inventors

St. Petersburg, FL, United States of America

Louis W Smith