The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 1991
Filed:
Mar. 13, 1990
William R Hilligoss, Ashland, OR (US);
Lawrence D Hillogoss, Ashland, OR (US);
David Van Winkle, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Myron C Butler, Edmond, OK (US);
Communications Manufacturing Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A telephone test instrument permits voice communications with and monitoring of a telephone circuit to be tested. The instrument includes a microprocessor used in controlling various functions of the instrument. The microprocessor and other circuits of the instrument are energized from a connected telephone circuit and/or an internal energy supply which is automatically recharged from the telephone circuit. The microprocessor continually checks the voltage of the internal energy supply and automatically turns off a loudspeaker of the instrument, or prevents it from being turned on, if the voltage is too low. The instrument includes circuitry which, in combination with the microprocessor, measures loop current or line voltage while the instrument is connected for making voice communications with the telephone circuit. When the loudspeaker within the instrument is energized, the earpiece receiver remains active. A belt hook connected to a housing of the instrument can connect an electrical ground through a switch in the instrument to the telephone circuit for providing a ground start. The instrument also includes a 'crow-bar' circuit which effectively open-circuits the instrument from a connected telephone circuit if too high of a loop current flows.