US1390729A - Automatic telephone system - Google Patents

Description

s. SIMONETTA AND-A. ROSA.

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAN. 4. 1918.

1,390,729. v PatentedSept. 13, 1921.

3 $HEETS-SHEET l.

gln'ventors:

G. SIMONETTA AND A. ROSA.

AUTOMATICTELEPHO'NE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR-4,1918.

1,390,729. Patented Sept. 13, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Si n

G. SIMONETTA AND A. ROSA.

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR-4, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Inventors:

" i. h. Paw

Attomevn PatentedSept. 13, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GIUSEPT'E BIMONETTA AND AUGUST!) ROSA, OF MILAN, ITALY.

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application filed March 4,

To all whom itmoy concern:

Be it known that we, GIUSEPPE SIMONETTA and AUcUs'ro RosA, both subjects of the King of Italy, residing at 4 Via Dante, Milan, in the Kingdom of Italy, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Telephone Systems, (for which we have filed application in Italy November 20, 1916, Patent No. 156,926,) of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved system of automatic telephony in which the current sent into the line wire by the calling subscriber causes a free trunk line to select, by means of a searcher of the calling line, called hereinafter linesearcher, one of the contact groups on which the calling line is multipled and therewith short-circuits a registrating device called hereinafter registrator and prevents any other trunk line controlled by the same registrator from coming into operation, all this being performed through the calling subscriber taking oif his receiver from the hook of the apparatus. The formation of the first figure of the number called up has the following effects: The registrator is set into motion, a selector or trunk line searcher corresponding to the si aled figure is picked outand set into motion, a pointer of the selector is stopped in a determined position corresponding to the calling line, owing to which position the calling line is connected to a free trunk line leading either to a second selector or to a connector according to whether the exchange is adapted to accommodate 10,000 or 1000 lines. The

registrator already mentioned is disconnected and a further registrator inserted which is intended either to act upon the eventual second selector in a similar manner to that of the first registrator in respect to the first selector, or to pick out in the connector a point corresponding to the number called up and to connect up the trunk line (which at this moment is served by the registrator in question and is connected to the calling apparatus) with the apparatus called for. The system further comprises a set of magnets for each trunk line of the connector, these magnets being intended to maintain the connection with the line called for if the latter is free, or to break the said connection if the called for line is not free, and the second registrator being liberated Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 13, 1921.

1918. Serial No. 220,399.

and left available for other calls as soon the connection has been established.

The invention also refers to a type of linesearcher differing from those used heretofore in that each rotating pointer of a num. ber rotatable on the searcher spindle corresponds to a trunk line and can be stopped on it and so establish the connection without interfering with the further motion of the searcher spindle and of the other pointers which remain available for other calling subscribers in such a way that two pointers cannot be stopped in correspondence to the same calling line at a time. The new linesearcher accordingly works as many ordinary searchers as the pointers with which it is fitted can comprise a considerable number of subscribers, and yet its construction remains quite simple.

The invention further refers to selectors and connectors, which are mere modifications of the line-searchers in relation to the use for which they are intended and which will be hereinafter disclosed. 7

Hence a great simplicity in the plant and a reat certainty of working is attained.

he invention isillustrated by way of example in the annexed drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 conjointly show the general scheme of the parts described and of their connections.

Figs. 3 and 4 are a vertical section and a plan respectively of a line-searcher.

The line-searcher according to this invention, as represented in Figs. 3 and 4, is adapted for quite a large number of lines and consists of a stationary portion A corresponding to the multiple of the manual system, and of a revolving portion corresponding to the set of plugs in the manual system and consisting of a set of pointers.

The stationary portion comprises a cylinder on Whose generating lines are multipled the subscriber lines in the case of the devices working as calling-line-searchers or as connectors, or the trunk lines from the previous devices in the case of the devices working as selectors. In addition thereto each device comprises a ring-shaped collector provided with contacts C the auxiliary magnets spoken of hereinbelow being energized across this collector.

The revolving portion comprises a spindle --d,,- whose rotation is started at the beginning ef the call,- 111 this case the spindle and therewith. the calling must be provided with a clutch; in the drawing a magnetic clutch is shown consisting of a set of magnets e.., in front of which slides a soft iron disk -f sufficiently thin to allow of its slightly deflecting under the action of the electro-magnets; the disk f., is driven by a motor-and revolves con tinuously; in order to set the spindle c6 revolvingit is obviously suincient to excite the magnets e The clutch might however be of any other type whatever or be dispensed with altogether if the motor can be stopped.

On the spindle -cZ5 a plurality of pointers 9 are fitted, the same being suitably spaced acrossthe spindle length and equal in number to the trunk lines that are placed at the disposal of. every hundred subscribers. These pointers are loose on the spindle and can be made fast with it by expansions h ;-"set at equal angles around the spindle, sothat, when running; the pointers are spaced apart by equal angles. In

their rotation the pointers pass in front of the polar expansions of a set of electromagnets not shown in the drawing, or theythemselves'are carrying 'electromagnets moving in front of a soft iron plate as shown in the drawing. In both cases the pointer can'be displaced from its position, its arm g., pivotingjabout the pin Z fixed on the spindle sleeve. By this swinging the pointer is released from the expansion [t which influenced it. andithen rests upon the springs facing 'it 'and'i'n-this way connects a trunk line to the line corresponding to the cylinder generating line in frontof which it has been stopped. f r

The action of the magnets i., is determined by a set-of brushes m rubbing the contacts of the ring collector.

To each brush there corresponds a pointer and consequently a trunk line. The brushes -m.,- are fitted at the outer ends of the radial arms n., which are secured to a central hub that partakes of the continuous rotationofthe spindle -cZ and are so arranged that when one brush reaches the contact corresponding to a determined trunk line, the corresponding pointer faces that same line.

When a pointer has been brought to a stop line has been connected through with a tree trunk line and with the called for line, no further pointer can be stopped by the same calling line, and

the spindle with the remaining pointers corresponding to tree lines can" revolve on and effect the connection of another calling line with another tree trunk line. Besides, the arrangement is such that a pointer can not be attracted unless it be in contact with the expansion h viz. just in correspondence to its own arm n the object of this arrangement being to prevent the pointer being attracted when it is not exactly opposite the cylinder generating line corresponding to the position oil. its own arm n., at that same moment.

The operation otthis device is described as applied to the calling-line searcher. The device works just the same when applied to the selectors (or trunks searchers) or to the connectors.

When a subscriber calls up the collector contact corresponding to the line of the calling subscriber is energized, in the manner hereinafter explained. As the spindle rotates the first brush passing over the contact and corresponding to a tree line. and therefore rotating its pointer along with it, transmits a current to the stopping magnet -21,- across the said pointer and its expansion Accordingly the pointer is tilted and rests upon the springs it fa es at that moment, these springs being just those corresponding to the calling line. In this way the pointer makes the connection between the line coming from the calling subscriber and the trunk line corresponding to the pointer.

The selector and connector work in substantially the same manner. ()t course the details may be varied from those described and illustrated in the drawing without dcparting from the spirit and scope oi the invention. In particular the spring contacts in the stationary portion might be repla ed by rubbing contacts, the pointers being then fitted with brushes that slide over the contacts and swinging on the loose central. sleeve only partially. The position and form of the collecton contacts and brush star might also be varied.

By means of the line-searchers, selectors and connectors (these being suitably connected with trunk lines and the latter being fitted with registering devices or registrators that are released antomatically as soon as the connection is established) the calling line is connected up to the called one.

a In a general way the system is arranged nal, the pointer is disengaged from its expansion -7i and stops thus connectln'g the calling line and the trunk line. Simultaneously the calling line is connected up to a.

tree trunk line device registering the first figure of the number called up.

The trunk line thus engaged is connected in shunt to all the selectors of the first set in the group to which the calling telephone belongs. The object of the first registrator is tofcause the first figure to remain vir-' tually formed a convenient lapse of time and to set the corresponding first selector int0 rotation, and to stop it as soon as a pointer of the said first selector comes opposite the line is signaled.

Now the calling subscriber is connected to a last trunk line and to a registrator whose object is to maintain the signaling of the two last figures of the number. When this signaling is completed, the connector belonging to the hundred to which the called up subscriber appertains starts revolving. The last trunk lines lead to the connector pointers and, when the revolving pointer connected to the calling line comes opposite the called up line (who is multipled on the contacts of one of the generating lines of the connector) if the called telephone is free that pointer is brought to a stillstand and connects the callers line to that of the called subscriber. The registrator is then at once released and the calling signal sent into the called line. When the called up subscriber lifts his receiver from the hook, he is con nected up to the calling line across the speaking line. If the called telephone is engaged, the pointer is not brought to a stillstand and all parts which had been engaged during the call are now released excepting the set of magnets of the calling subscriber which remain engaged and, while preventing others calling him up, send the engaged signal into the calling line.

At the end of the conversation, as soon as i one of the users hangs up his receiver, all

the parts that were locked during the conversation are released with the exception of the magnets of the subscriber that has not yet hung up his apparatus, who received a signal, for instance the same engaged signal, that advises him of the end of the conversation.

As may be seen, all parts are so arranged that they remain locked only aslong as they are working and are set ree immediately their action is over.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, A is the Batt 29--2S-cc80-31-T,,

the magnet ccomes into action and ,7

calling, B- the called subscriber, C- the line-searcher, --D- the first registrator, -E- the selector, Grthe connector, --M N the magnets of the single subscriber-lines for controlling the line-searchers.

UaZL- lhe calling subscriber lifting his receiver from the hook, disconnects the ringing apparatus, closes the contact 2 and establishes the circuit T,--l-2-3 l-a-Batt- T,, where and hereinafter Battindicates the battery and T- the grounds.

The magnet -a attracts its armature fitted with multiple contacts and closes the contacts 6-l7--9. By closing the contact 6 the callers fourth wire leading to the caller's connector is earthcd, and this prevents the caller bcingcalled up by others during his conversation. By closing the contact 17 the circuit T ,-716--17- Rot Batt-T is established and the linesearcher is started; the reference Rot associated with an identifying letter, for example, Rot indicates the magnet which cone trols the rotation of the element with the corresponding capital reference letter, as C, Q, E, and G." By closing the contact 9, the callers contact 11 in the collector of the linesearcher C is switched in.

Due to the action of the seracher-magnet Rot, the line-searcher starts revolving and during its rotation a brush corresponding to a free trunk line comes into contact with it, thereby closing the circuit T --8-1Q11- ]2-J) c-l3-l 6ll5----T,.

The magnet b is excited and tilts the pointer, thereby causing the latter to switch the trunk line on to the line of the calling subscriber.

The magnet -d-- now comes into action and attracts its multiple armature. The circuit being as follows: T -a-- i-26-25- 2223-24b-T owing to the circuit T 5 -l 0ll12-b0l 314l1 5-T the contact 18 is closed and establishes the circuit 'l,-- ',=l 1 --2$-l-----.22-2l--2(1 19 l8-- 9-liatt.*'l,,, the magnet --7i having been already excited by the circuit from T to T,. The contact 18 closes also the circuit 29---Batt.--'l,, oi the third wire. The magnet arinaturc a continues to remain at tractcd and the magnet 5Z- opens the contact 8, whereby the (an-rent no longer passes through ll and no other pointer can be stopped by the same contact.

The contact 28 is closed and the magnet -cenergized owing to the circuit T,, further opensthe contact 14-, whereby all other trunk lines controlled by the same registratorv can not come into action as long as the registrator is working.

The contact 34 is closed and therewith the magnet controlling the registrator is connected tothe subscribefsline across the circuit T 123 36 3 lfl3att T Signaling of the first figme.The above operations being completed by the fact of the calling subscriber lifting his apparatus from the hook, the caller begins to signalthe first figure. To this eiiect the caller, by means of the well known Strowger dial or any similar device, causes a series of interruptions of the contact 2 and the armature of the magnet f, which has been excited completed, thecontact 2 remains closed and consequently the armature of the magnet f remains attracted a sufficient time for the delayed-action magnet -gcoming into operation due to the circuit T,,-l0 38g39l3attT wherewith the contact 41 is closed andthe registrator pointers switch. in those lines wand;z in front of which the pointer has come to stillstand.

The circuit T 3l3O424l-t3%12 Rot Batt-T is established and due to the action of the magnet Rot the selector corresponding to the called hundred starts revolving. Also the circuit T .,-3130- 42-41-4l3- i ilh-]3att'1 is established and the magnet h of the selector E attracts its armature and closes the selector contact 45. If the trunk line leading to Zm51F253BattT is established and the magnets ZZ4a are energized. The magnet -Z- tilts the pointer and connects the trunk line coming away from the selector to the trunk line leading to the 2nd selector. The magnet m closes the con tact 55 and establishes the circuit T Z 585'756-5l-BattT and this circuit excites the magnet Z. The magnet -12- closes the contact 59 and establishes the circuit T Batt'596O LibT,, and the magnet Lib (the'magnets Lib being a releasing magnet for registrator D), attracts its armature and due to the circuit T,,(2 6l'60Lib-59 keeps it attracted until the registrators pointer is brought back to its rest position. 7 7

On the magnet Lib coming into action the contact 30 is opened and the magnets -cand e are denergized, while the magnet Z continues to be energized by the circuit T -Z)-2ei23-29-2l20-IIl (third wire) 57--5G54l-Batt'il Accordingly the registrator D of the first linesearcher is released and left available for a new caller, while the connection of the calling subscriber and first trunk line with the selector still remains subsisting.

Further the magnet m closes the contact 63 and thus establishes the circuit T ,Batt-63-mot-G4;l28-Batt-T The magnet mremains energized a1- though the magnet itopens the contact 51, so that no other line controlled by the same registrator F is stopped until the latters operation is completed.

The magnet 2nfurther closes the con tact 73, whereby it connects up with the caller the magnet p, controlling the registrator F, across the circuit T -1-2-3 3G-II73 )-l3attT All this is cleiiected owing to the brief pause following the signaling of the first figure.

Signaling of the Zest two figurca-The caller proceeds to signal the last but one ligure viz. the tens figure. The magnet 71, which was energized by the last named cir cuit, drops its armature at each interruption and sends a series of impulses in the circuit T -6569-Rot -7l-72Bate-T and the tens-pointer in the registrator l advances by a step at each impulse.

hen the signaling of the tens is completed the armature of the magnet premains attracted a sufiicient time for the delayed action magnet q to come into operation and to open the contact 70, whereby the rotation magnet Rot of the tens is shut out and the contact 79 closed.

The signaling of the last or unit ligure causes the rotation magnet Rot to actuate the unit-pointer across the circuit T,,,G5- l:ot 7 97 172-BattT and the unit-pointer advances by a step at each inipulse.

When the signaling of the unit-figure is completed, the armature of the controlling magnet 29 remains attracted and the contact 7% closed, thus setting into operation the delayed-action magnet r across the circuit T T27-lr-S3-T lhe circuit T -8l11ot T is energized whereby, j.

owing to the action of the rotation magnet Rot the connector G starts revolving and the brushes thereof slide on its collector. hen the brush corresponding to the energized trunk line comes opposite the called up subscriber, different cases may present themselves.

The subscriber called up is free.-Under this condition the contact 94 of the connector, to which the fourth subscriber-wire leads, is not earthed since the contact 92 in the corresponding group N is open. When the brush comes opposite the called sub- 89-'a--90Batt---T is established across the three winding magnet -t"-.

The magnet ---s--- then attracts the pointer of the connector and eonnectsup the line of the called subscriber to the trunk line coming from the selector The magnet --t-- attracts its armature and closes the contact 96, wherewith the third wire at the called subscribers as well as at the calling subscribers end is earthed across the contacts 96 and 9-7, the magnet Af being excited by the second wire of the called subscriber across the connection T,--1-2--3-36-II-109 --A 11e- Batt-T26 The magnet -u-- closes the contact 123 and energizes the releasing magnets across Since the releasing magnets have opened the contacts 64, the magnets mand -n drop their armatures and the registrator F is set free and made available for a new subscriber as soon as it has reached its rest position.

By the closing of contact 96 on magnet -tthe circuit T24-97-96t57--III-- 20--21-25-26(La T is established, on which are. branched the circuits 22-23- 24-b-T7 and 57-58-Z-T18, and the magnets a--d-b-Z- of the calling subscriber continue to attract their armatures, whereby it is prevented that the called subscriber on liftlng his receiver from the hook should start into action the line-searcher to which he is connected. To the said circuit is connected in shunt the magnet --s--, which accordingly continues to maintain the connection with thecalled line.

The two third wire windings on the magnet -t are so designed that when they are in parallel the armature of the magnet t-- is. attracted, and when they are set in series.

inthe same circuit they oppose one another and the armature drops.

At the called subscribers end the resistance of the ringing apparatus is such that the magnet B, cannot operate as lOIlg as the ringing apparatus is inserted in the circuit.

In this condition, the contact 101 being closed, the magnets ,--eis traversed by an interrupted current and consequently closes the contact 103 at intervals and sends an intermittent current into the ringing apparatus of the called subscriber across the circuit: Corr. Alt (alternating current) 103- 104.-105-Bell106--107-108-T25.

When the called subscriber unhooks his receiver he thereby closes the circuit T25- Batt -l12- B -113--110.99104=130 Microphone 107108--T25. The magnet B, is energized and closes the contact 122; the magnet --t is traversed by currents in opposite directions and lets its armature drop; the third wires are fed across the contacts 121-122- and the speaking line is tied at the callers end across the earth T1 and at the called subscribers end across the earth T25, the speaking connection being thus completed.

End of the conversation; disconnect ion. The disconnection is effected when one of the two subscribers hangs up his receiver. The magnet A or the magnet l3 are then deenergized, the third wires are interrupted, and the magnets bhs actuating the swinging pointers also become deenergized. At the end of the line where the subscriber has hung up his receiver (for instance the called subscriber) also his magnets -a and -(Z-- are deenergized. At the end of the calling line, where it has not yet been hung up, only the magnet -a-- is cleanergized; the magnet -dremains excited across the circuit T 5-d--132-131 3 2-Micr--1--T1, and the engaged signal is sent over to the other subscriber. The same applies if the caller has hung up his receiver first.

Called subscriber engaged; disconnectz'0n.1f the called up telephone is engaged, the contact 94 of the called subscribers fourth wire is earthed and the circuit T23- 91--92-93--94c-95--89-u-90-Batt- T20 is established; the magnet -vis energized, op ns the contact 88 and prevents the magnet --t from coming into action. Meanwhile the magnet --u-- releases the. registrator, and the magnets -mand -n-- are de'c nergized. The third wire is therefore interrupted at the end of the calling subscriber, who receives the engaged signal; in the same way as already described also the magnet --e-- is deenergized since the contact 101 has been opened.

In a 10,000 subscriber system, in lieu of the connector G a further selector is used which is connected up to the connector by means of a third registrator.

The registrators might also be operated electrically instead of mechanically.

Of course the particulars regarding the form and constructional details can be varied from those described and illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope oi? the invention.

Having thus described our invention and how the same is to be carried into practice, what we desire to protect by Letters Patent 1. In an automatic telephone system, linesearchers adapted to connect the callers line to a calling line, automatically, upon istrator is rendered inoperative and a secondary registrator isinserted, the secondary registrator being thereafter operable to actuate the second selector similarly to the actuation of the first selector by the first registrator or to select in the connector a point corresponding to the called line and to connect the first trunk line that is served by the callerssecondary registrator with the called llne, the secondary registratorbelng set free aupon the making of said connection, and a groupof magnets for each trunk leading to the connector, said magnets being operable to maintain the connection of the calling line with the called line and to break the connection it the called line is occupied.

2. A searching device for automatic telephone systems comprising a set of springs and contacts arranged on the generating lines of a cylinder, a set of contacts to which each subscribers line leads, a set of loose pointers arranged at the level of a rowof contacts ofsaid set and rendered operative to rotate by expansion elements arranged on a spindle, brushes, equal in number to the pointers, secured to the spindle and bearing on the contacts of the controlling lines, and

electro-magnets operative to disengage the expansion elements from the pointers.

3. In a telephone system such as recited in claim 1, connectlon registrators connected 7 to the trunk lines in shunt and to the calling lines successively.

4. In a telephone system such as recited in claim 1, magnets effecting the release of the elements recited as soon as either the hook on the calling instrument or the instrument on thecalled instrument ishung up.

5. An automatic telephone system comprising line searchers having the calling lines connected to multiple horizontal circular rows of contacts, a number of pointers revolving in front'oi' said circular rows of contacts and being the extremities of as many trunk lines as the number of the pointers, means to stop the. revolution of each pointer independently of the others; registrators associated with the trunk lines and rendered operative when the calling line forms the first figure of the number of the called line, means for starting a first selector when the registrator comes to a standstill and determining on this selector a group for a stop; first selectors oi the same construction as the line searchers and having contact springs forming the extremities of a second set of trunk lines arranged in groups, each group comprising the trunk lines corresponding to a determined group of further selectors, the pointers of the first selectors being the extremities of the trunk lines from the line searchers; further selectors with registrators; a final set of registrators to distinctly record the tens and units figures of the called line number; a connector of the same construction as the line searcher, its pointers being the extremities of trunk lines, and the spring contacts on its stationary frame being the extremities of subscribers lines to be called, and having means whereby its registrator establishes for each pointer during its rotation a group where it can stop and ten positions of rest in said group; sets of relays to control the operations, and relays at the connectors to perform the calling of the desired subscriber as soon as the connectors pointer has stopped on the terminal of the called line, to disengage and free the intermediate members as soon as either of the subscribers hangs up the telephone as well as when the revolving connector-s pointer finds that the called line is engaged.

(3. An automatic telephone system comprising line searchers consisting of several sets of contacts horizontally arranged in circular rows, the rows being vertically super- }mscd so as to form a cylinder, the contacts on the same generatrix being multiplying contacts of a line, a central rotatable spindle, a number of pointers on said spindle, and means for having the pointers driven by the spindle independently, means for disengaging each rotating pointer from the spindle as soon as it connects a calling line, and brushes cooperating with a circular set of contacts and rotating with the spindle.

In testimony whereof we hereunto aifix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

Inc. GIUSEPPE SIMONETTA. ING. AUGUSTO ROSA. lVitnesses OTTORINO HARRARI, IVAN LAVRETSKY.

Images