GB2274959A

GB2274959A - Battery powered telephone visual ringing indicator.

Info

Publication number: GB2274959A
Application number: GB9302428A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neal Ferris; Michael Ferris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-08
Filing date: 1993-02-08
Publication date: 1994-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-08
Also published as: GB9302428D0; GB2274959B

Abstract

A telephone visual ringing indicator requires no power other than that supplied by the extension telephone line to which it is connected. It has a rechargeable battery G which is charged from the telephone line itself via a constant current diode F. The stored power in the rechargeable battery G is used to drive a lamp unit H when the telephone is ringing. A lamp unit H is activated by the ringing detector C via the relay D and tile contact K, which connects the stored power in battery G to the lamp unit H, giving a visual indication that the phone is ringing. <IMAGE>

Description

Battery powered telephone ringing indicator This invention relates to a visual ringing indicator for connection to a P. A. B . X. telephone extension line jack. Throughout this specification the term P.A.B.X.

refers to a Private Automatic branch i:xchange.

Visual ringing indicators are often necessary in noisy environments, or in areas where the called party is located outside the range of an audible indicator (for instance a bell).

Visual indicators of an effective size however, require wore power than can be supplied by the average extension telephone circuit and in most cases tis envolves the time and expense of installing a mains socket in tile proximity of the indicator.

According to the present invent ion there is provided a visual ringing indicator which requires no source of rozzer other than tat provided by the extension telephone circuit to which it is connected.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to eac component of the accompanying drawing. ote there is only one drawing.

Component A is a standard P.A.B.X. socket to wliic the visual ringing indicator is to be connected. It is not part of the unit but has been included in order to illustrate its function.

The pins numbered 2, 3, and 5, are consistent with the connections marked 2, 3, and 5, on the standard P.A.B.Y. socket. A. standard single to dual outlet convertor, or or alternatively a standard dual outlet (parallel) socket, must be used in order to plug both the telephone and the ringing indicator into the same extension line socket.

Component B is a standard P.A.B.X. plug of the same type as used on a telephone extension.

Component C is a ringing detector which is a well known component and can be purchased in integrated circuit form from most semiconductor manufacturers.

Component D is a relay.

Component E is a common diode bridge circuit.

Component F is a component most manufacturers refer to as a constant current diode, and consists of a field effect transistor with the source connected to the gate.

Component C is a rechargeable battery.

Component H is a lamp unit and can be either a filament type lamp, or a xenon type lamp with its associated high voltage circuitry.

Component K is a contact of relay D, and is normally closed i.e- when no ringing signal is applied.

Referring to the drawing the bridge circuit E ensures that the same polarity D.C. voltage is applied to the charging circuit regardless of the polarity of the extension telephone line.

With no ringing signal applied contact K is closed and rechargeable battery C is charged with a constant current which is controlled by the constant current diode F. This specific type of constant current generator is used because circuits, using bipolar transistors or zenner diodes consume more power than many P.A.E.'-v. lines are capable of supplying without the P.A.B.::. assuming that the extension is in an "off hook" condition.

The rechargeable battery stores power which is subsequently used to drive the lamp H.

A ringing signal is deteeted by the ringing detector C which in turn operates relay D. Contact Y. of relay D connects the rechargeable battery G to the lamp unit H. This produces a visual indication that the telephone is ringing.

On removal of the ringing signal the switch releases and returns to its normally closed position reestablishing the battery charging circuit.

Claims

1 A visual ringing indicator which requires no source of power other than that provided by the extension telephone circuit to which it is connected.

2 A visual ringing indicator as clained in claiti 1 wherein a rechargeable battery is provided for storing the energy required to drive the indicator.

3 A visual ringing indicator substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

3 A visual ringing indicator as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein a constant current diode, (or field effect transistor with the source connected to the gate) is provided to charge the rechargeable battery.

4 A visual ringing indicator substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A battery powered visual ringing indicator incorporating a rechargeable battery5 in which the power required to recharge the battery is obtained from the extension telephone line to which it is connected.

2 A battery powered visual ringing indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current regulation of the charging circuit is acheived by the use of a constant current diode or a field effect transistor with the source connected to the gate.