Bell Telephone Laboratories

Steven Gary Miller

Wayne Jay Egan

Richard Henry Bidlack

A key telephone system signal priority arrangement is disclosed wherein each type of call in a key telephone system is assigned a distinctive priority. When a call is directed to a station engaged in an existing lower priority call, a warning tone is given to both parties engaged in this existing call. The existing call is then automatically placed on hold while the preempting call is completed to the called station such that the called station can answer the preempting call 'hands-free'.

Key telephone system signal priority arrangement

A key telephone system is disclosed in which a direct station selection (DSS) arrangement reduces the number of operations required for the attendant to extend an incoming central office call to a station. The operation of one or more DSS keys on any of the attendant consoles in the key telephone system automatically places the calling central office line on hold and establishes a communication path through the DSS key contacts from the attendant to the selected station. DC bias on this communication path activates a loudspeaker and microphone arrangement in the selected station so the called party may converse with the attendant 'hands-free.' Additionally, the DSS arrangement provides the capability of utilizing any station in the key telephone system as the attendant position.

Direct station selection hold arrangement

A key telephone system is disclosed in which intercom calls may be answered 'hands-free' at the called station. Intercom calls are originated in the standard manner, with the subscriber picking up the handset at the calling station and dialing the number of the called station. A voice communication path is established through the station selector to the telephone set represented by the dialed number. DC bias on this communication path through the station selector activates a loudspeaker and microphone arrangement in the called telephone set. The called party may thus converse 'hands-free' with the calling party by utilizing the activated loudspeaker and microphone of the station set, and need not manipulate the station set for the duration of the conversation.

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Freehold Township, NJ, United States of America

Steven Gary Miller