US1734696A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Description

v| J. sTEvl-:NsoN 1.334,696

Nov. 5, 1929.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Feb. 24, 1925 s sheets-sheet 1 l l /|l J9 15 \ZO j??? z/ 17\y Jf/ il?. l

l.. J. sTEvENsoN 1,734,696

Nov. 5, 1929.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM I v Filed Feb. 24, 1925 5 sheets-sheet 2 IZ-o 7g 1.1/7 f 16"J Patented Nov. 5, 1929 LESTER J'. STEVENSON, OF' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TELEPHONE SYSTEM Application filed February 24., 1925. Serial No. 10,997.

y'Ihis invention relates to improvements in telephone systems and has to do more particularly with the handling of calls between an exchange switchboard and a plurality of subscribers7 stations connected therewith.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an improved arrangementin-connection with the exchange board whereby a call normally intended for. any one of the subscribers may'under predetermined conditions be transferred and handled by an operator designated to attend to such calls, as, for instance, when thesubscriber expects to be temporarily absent from his station and wishes to have messages delivered to the calling party or have messages received from the calling party during his absence.

Other objects of invention will` appear from time to timeas the vdescription proceeds.V

My invention'in its broadest aspect consists in the provisionof a pluarlity of circuits auxiliary to the usual subscribers circuits and providedwith a manual 'switch and a signal such as a lamp in such a manner that it thev switch is closed the signal will be actuated by the same instrumentality used in calling the subscriber. In carrying out'my invention, the signal andswitch may be located either upon the usual switchboard so that the regular switchboard operato'r'can handle the call intended for the subscriber, or the signal and switch, together with an answering jack, may be located upon a special switchboard which, for convenience, may be called a tell-tale board, to be handled by a special opera-tor, or the manual switchV may be located at one place, as, for instance, vat a supervisors desk, while the signal, to-

gether with an answering jack -may be lo cated on another switchboard to be hanf dled by a tell-tale operator. The calling dev` vices which operate the telltale signal may consist in the usual ringino devices, such as the magneto or selective bell-ringing devices in a manual operators cord-circuit, or automatic ringing devices. Y

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing its application lin various ways to switchboards of the common battery type. It will be understood to those famliar with the art, however, that it may be similarly applied `to either single or multiple switch boards of the common-battery, magneto or automatic type. i

In the drawings, f

Figure l shows the arrangement ofl my improved system as applied to an ordinary branch exchange switchboard and consists in connecting with the switchboard a separate tell-tale board havingjaclr circuits in multiple with the subscribers circuit on the main switchboard, and a remote `control switch` board interposed between the two first named boards for controlling the several multiple circuits.

Figure 2 is an electrical wiring diagram showing'one form in which each of the subscribers circuits may be embodied. In this form a special jack is provided to control thetell-tale circuit t Figure 3 illustrates another form in which a standard jack of the two wire type is used, but in which a special relay is added to the ordinary switchboard tn operate the tell-tale circuit.. l

Figure 4: is still another form using a standard double circuit jack, but inwhich another form of relay is used in the tell-tale circuit. Y

y 4Figure 5 is a view showing the arrangement of an ordinary branch exchange switchboard and a tell-tale switchboard similar to Figure 1, but in which the tell-tale switch devices are incorporated in the tell-tale switch board.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrat- Vingv a form 0I" circuit in which the switchis incorporated on the tell-tale switchboard as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 isa view showing one manner in which the tell-tale circuits -may' be incorpcrated in the regular branch exchange switchboarchthis board being-termed Jfor convenience a double dutyV board.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of one form of circuit which may be employed in the double-duty board Vshown in` Figure 7.-

Figure 9 is a circuit similar to Figure 8, loo

but in which another arrangement of signals is provided.

Figure is a view showing a switch arrangement applicable to the forms shown in Figures 8, 9, or 10, topermit one audible signal to serve all the subscribers circuits.

Figure "11 is a view showing another arrangement ol' tell-talev switches incorporated in the main switchboard with theV tell-tale switch adjacent its correspondingjack.

Figure 12 is another form of circuit in which the tell-tale signal is operated by being placed in series with the through circuit signal in the operators cord'circuit.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, but includin'g'ja relay inthe tell-*tale circuitto gilve full vol-t-age'on the tell-'talc signal. L

Reierringv now to 'details 'shown in the drawings,'Figure 1 showsV a typical installation of my' invention asapplied to an Ordin# ary exchange switchboard 10,'provided with a plurality .of subscribersjacks 11 and associatedsignals 12l in' the usual manner. For conveniencefonly one 'ofthe jacks'4 and signals are illustrated, it vbeing understood `that the face of the'boar'd is'provi ded with a plu'- rality of similar devices, each'servingone of thesubsc'ribes lines'served by the board. The boardis' also providedv with the usual operatin'gxcord circuits' and operators equip.-1 ment, including 'listeningin and ringingdevices .and trunk linev Vconnections,"which` need not be shown or described in detail as they form, 'no' part ofthe present invention? l have'chosen :to show a- 'sign'al device ofthelainp type such as is commonly? used with common-,battery switchboards,`but -it will be understood that any other 'signal device such asthe shutter vtype may beused' with equal facility.; A 'second board '15", which for con-` venience 1 refer to as the tell-tale?) board is provided with a plurality of jacks 16 and as-` scciate signals .17 corresponding with the number of subscribers7 circuits served by the'k manrswitchboard 10 and each of the corresponding jacks and signals being connected' by separate circuits, which connection, as illustrated in the forms shown in Figures 2,

, 3, and 4, hereinafter to be described in detail.

1 call a remote control switchboard.

.ing subscribers jacks andtell-tale signals on the two switchboards 10 and 15- respective-y ly. Inasmuchv as each of these switches 26 consist of simple contacting devices of any suitable construction, they vmay be mounted in coi'np-act arrangement so that theremote control' board 25 as shown is considerably smaller than the other switchboards 10 and 15.

Referring now to the cir-cuit shown in Figure 2 illustrating the use of my invention in connection with the ordinary two-wire common-battery system, the subscribers circuit is'shown in the usual diagrami'natic'form consisting of a transmitter 30,y receiver 31, phone Acondenser 32, induction coil 33, bell 35, condenser SG-an-d main subscribe- rs lines 40 and 41, leading to the subscribers jack indicated generally at 42. rlihe jack is provided with a pair of spring contacts 43 and 44 adapted to be engaged by the plug inserted A the'Y relay 54 serving toy control the local circuit-containing'the linelarnp 12 and pilot relay 61vwhic`h' relay :in vturn l'controls the local circuit including-'fa'pilot lamp'62 of the usual form. f

The equipment *on theV tell-taleboard 15 consists of a simple iack 16 having an upper andlower spring contacts 71 and "Z2 connected in multiple with the subseribers linefin the present instance being `rparallelacrossthe corresponding spring lcontacts 43' and'44 of the'mai'n switchboard jack 42. The Jsignaly device 17 of'the-telltaleboard which in the -form Iillustrated'"is a line-lamp, vis connected in theV circuit 'including a contact 75 incorporated inA and controlled vby thefoperation of the mainack 42),-soasto be 'closed when the plug visins'er'ted insai-d -jackll One side of this switch is grounded as shown' and rthe otfhe'r'side is connectedr through the switch 26-fonthe` remote control board as shown in Figure 1 and 'from thence through the signal1 lamp 17" and a Ypilot relay- 76 controlling 'the' pilot lamp 77 on the remote Control board. In the 'fo-rm illustrated in Figure 2, above described, it will beobserve'd that the jack 42 is: of special yconstruction' including `the con-v tact 75.I The tell-tale-bcard is also furnished with the-usual cord circuits andi-operators listening equipment, similar to theequipment' on 4the 'main' board 10."-

Tliuse andfoperation ofthel apparatus above described lin connection lwith Figures 1 and 2 is as follows-:Assuming t-hatfthemai'nezchnge'board `10 is located in a large establishment, such asa hot-el,` it isprovidedy with subscribers" 'circuits-serving each of the roomsin the hotel. This board is located in the usual position, as, for instance, in the lobby of the hotel and served by the usual telephone operator. The tell-tale board 15 may be located adjacent the main board 10 or at any other convenient place in the hotel building where space is available. T he remote control switchboard 25 is preferably located at the main clerks desk or a special clerks desk, where it is readily accessible to such hotel guests as may desire to avail themselves of the tell-tale service.

If the occupant of the room served by the subscribers circuit represented by jack 11 i and line lamp 12 on the main board 1() is in hisrooin anda call is received by the main switchboard operator, the latter plugs in on this subscribers circuit and the bell rings in the guests room in the usual manner. If the switch 26 on the remote control switchboard 25 is open, the line lamp 17 corresponding to this guests room on the tell tale board is dead, so that no action as to this subscribers circuit is required of the tell-tale operator. However, if the occupant of the room wishes to leave his room to go some other place in the hotel or to leave the hotel, he phones, or goes to the clerk or other person at the remote control switchboard and advises him of his plans, either verbally or by leaving a written statement. Further, if he wishes to leave any message lfjora party calling him in his absence, he may make such a statement or write the message accordingly. The remote control operator then closes the switch 26 corresponding to this guests room number and sends the guests message to the tell tale operator at the tell-tale board 15, either by telephone or by messenger. When the switch 26 is closed it is obvious that any call received on t-he main switchboard 10 directed to this guests room will be plugged in by the main operator and the telephone in the guests room will ring in the usual manner. At the same time, however, since the circuit through the signal line 18 is closed at switch 26, the line lamp circuit on the tell-tale board l will be energized so as to fla-sh the line signal to 17 on the latter board to tell the tell-tale operator. She will then plug in with her cord circuit and listening key in the usual manner and talk with the calling party, advising this party of any messages which have been left by the labsent party if called, and to take any messages which the callingfparty may wish to leave. It will be observed that the signal to t-he tell-tale opera-tor is accomplished without interrupting in any manner with the usual operation of the main switchboa-rd by its operator, since she plugs in and rings the subscribers room in the usual routine manner, but the call is answered by the tell-tale operator instead of by the subscriber. Vshen the tell-tale operator answers the call her cord circuit completes the talking circuit line. Therefore, in my improved system the operation of the tell-tale board and switch mechanism is entirely independent of the operation of the main switchboard 10 and relieves the operator of the switchboard from answering for the guest after the guest fails to reply, and furthermore, saves the calling party the long wait to ascertain whether or not the guest is going to answer his phone. In fact, the tell-tale system immediately places the calling party in contact with the tell-tale operator who is in a position to give him the proper information in the shortest possible time. Many other advantages will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

lVhile the above example of the operation of my improved apparatus is described in connection with Vthe operation of hotel switchboards it will be understood that the apparatus is adapted to any form of telephone service embodying a switchboard serving a` plurality of single or multi-party subscriber lines.

ln the form shown in Figure 3, an arrangement of parts is shown similar to that in Figure 2, excepting that a standard jack of thetwo-wire type is employed. ln this instance, the circuit for operating the signal 17 on the tell-tale switchboard is vprovided sistance connected across the subscrihers lines 40 and 41 and adapted to be actuated in the bell ringing current in the s ubscribers circuit so as to close the contact 81 of the relay to complete the circuit through the line lamp 17 whenever the subscribers bell ringing current is applied from the cord circuit by the operator'at the main switchboard 10.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but in which the Contact of the line lamp 17 on the telltale vboard is controlled through alo-w resistance relay 82 in series with one of the conductor wires such as wire 40 of the subscribers circuit and also actuated by the bell-ringing current from the operators cord circuit on the main switchboard 10.

Referring now to the ferm shown inrFigy ures 5 and 6 in which the remote control',

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in Figures' 2,l 3, or 4, excepting that the switch 87 in line 18il is placed directly on the tell-tale switchboard 15 instead of in an intermediate position. In the form shownv in Figure 6 the switch 87 consists of a single Contact type having a spring 85, normally out' or engagement with an anvil 86 but which may be depressed by the turning of a suitable switchley oi! the-usual ft'orm.v

My invention may also be applied in modified form directly to the main exchange switchboard, so that the regular switchboard operator may give tell-tale service in addition to her regular duties in controlling the board. Obviously this type of service does not present all the advantages obtained where a separate tell-tale board is provided to relieve theregular operator of all den tails ol' telltale service. A double duty board 90 as shown in Figure 7 may, however, be used in connection with a relatively small switchboard receiving such a small number of calls that the regular operator will have time to attend to the tell-tale service. In 'this u instance, my invention consists in providing a means of selectively setting the subscribers lines by means of a manual switch so asto automatically inform` the regular operator that the particular line is set :tor tell-tale service. y

In the form ci board shownfin Figure 7 a small'switch board 91`is added at one side of lthe main board, this small board being provided with a plurality of tell-tale switches 92 each connected with the .usual subscribers circuitv on the main board, including jaclr 93 and'signal 94. A typical circuitfor this arrangement'is shown in Figure 8. This form oi board differs from the simple combination oi, a toll-tale switch board 15vand main board 10 and shown in Figure 5, in that the usual tell-tale jack in multiplo with thesubscribers circuit may be eliminated, as well as the line lamp 17a in the tell tale circuit. The separate tell-tale acl; may be eliminated entirely since the signal operator can use her cord circuit for talking with the calling party. The tell tale signal 17a which in the form Vshown in Figures 1 and 5 is flashed on the n separate board, may be substituted by a signal operative on the main board in connection with the called circuit signal. Such an arrangement is shown in detail in Figure 8 in which the subscribers circuit and plug are of the usual torni, but in addition, the telltale switch 92 is provided on the board 93 in circuit with an audibletell-tale signal 95 in parallel wit the subscribers circuit through conductors 96 and 97,-so that when the switch 92 is closed, the tell-tale-signal is operated by the ringingcurrent applied by the operator in the usual manner through her cord circuit. With this arrangement, whenever the op# era-tor inserts her calling plug in a subscribers jack the ltell-talecircuit of which has previ-v ously been closed by its respective tell-taleswitch 92, she will be automatically advised of the fact that this particular line has been set for tell-tale service by the ringing of the audible signal 95 when she rings the subscribers station in the usual way. This diagram also shows another means of signalling the operator for tell-tale service, comprising a conductor 97 and relay 98 for roperating another relay circuit controlling the usual line signal 17. AThis line signal 17 is provided with the usual calling relay 54, arranged to disconnect the line signal when the operator plugs in on the subscribers jack. In the present form, however, the circuit controlled by the relay 98 and actuated by the bell ringing current passes through conductors 99, 100 and 101 to light the line signal 17 whenever the tell-tale switch 92 is closed. In this manner the operator gets the flash of the lamp 17 to indicate that the particular subscribers telltale switch has been set. Obviously., the audible signal 95 and the line signal 17 may be used, either in conjunction with each other,

or maybe use-d separately, if desired. For eX- ample, Figure 9 shows a simplilied arrangement in which the relayfor actuating the line lamp bythe bell ringingcurrent is omitted.

Figure 10 is a view illustrating the mane ner in which a single-tell-tale signal yon the double duty switchboard may beused to serve a'plurality `of s ubscribers lines, each:

, comprising conductors 40 and 41.' One side or" said subscribers lines, such as conductors 40 are each connected to one of the tell- tale switch lines 18, 18, leading to` one side of separate tell-tale switches 92, 92, the other side of 'said switches having common connection through signal and conductor 105 to the other conductor 41 of all of the subscribers lines. In this manner a single audible signal may be used to serve all of the'subscribers stations on a double duty switchboard as illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9. i

In vthe form shown in Figure 11, the telltalev` switch is incorporated directly upon the doubleduty board. The "subscribers jack shown in this lfigure is provided with the usual line signal 17 and line signal relay 54 operative so that the line signal flashes when the subscriber is calling, but is discontinued in the usual manner, as soon as the operator inserts her answering pluo. In addition to this equipment, I provide a tell-tale signal circuit, includinga tell-tale switch contact 109 which is depressed, when closed, so that when the calling plug is inserted in the subscribers jack, another circuit is completed through the line signal 17, traced as follows: line battery 55, line signal 17, anvil 111, contact 109, conductor 112, anvil 113, jack contact 114, and ground line 115, so as to cause the line signal 17 to continue to burn after the calling plug is inserted in the jack.

trolled to complete a circuit through the operators cord circuit plug 111 and circuit 112 direct to ground through a grounded cut-off 113, or through the tell-tale line signal 17". This arrangement may be applied either to a separate tell-tale board system or to a double-duty board. In the latter instance it may be convenientto providek an operators signal in the cord circuit, by means of a lamp 115 which may be one of the usual through-circuit-signals added to the cord circuit. If desired, the tell-tale line 18a may also be provided with an operating relay 116 and line battery 117, as shown in Figure 13. I

From the above description of several simpliiied arrangements for producing thetelltale signal and answering circuits, it will be manifest that many other modifications of my invention will readily suggest themselves to anyone skilled in the art. I do not therefore wish to be understood to be limited to the exact constructions shown and described, excepting as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A telephone system comprising an exchange switchboard provided with a plurality of separate circuits for individual subscribers, and each having an answering jack, a cord circuit including a calling apparatus for said subscribers circuits, and trunk lines therefor, and an auxiliary circuit including an independent control device and a signal connected with each of said subscribers circuits, whereby the signal is automatically actuated by the calling apparatus effective in each of the subscribers circuits when the corresponding control device is set in a predetermined position, and an answering jack adjacent said auxiliary signal and in parallel with the corresponding answering jack on the exchange switchboard.

2. A telephone system comprising an exchange switchboard provided with a plurality of separate circuits for individual subscribers, and each having an answering jack, a cord circuit including a calling apparatus for said subscribers circuits, and trunk lines therefor, and an auxiliary circuit including an independent control device and a signal connected with each of said subscribers circuits and adapted to be automatically actuated by the calling apparatus effective in each of the subscribers circuits when the corresponding control device is set in a predetermined position, and an auxiliary answering jack adjacent each of said auxiliary signals and in parallel with the corresponding answering jacks In this instance, the Y on the switchboard, said auxiliary answering jacks and signals being mounted on a board separate from the main switchboard.

3. A. telephone system comprising an exchange switchboard equipment including a plurality of subscribers circuits each having an answering jack, and calling apparatus therefor, and an auxiliary circuit including a control device rand a signal connected Lwith each of said subscribers circuits and adapted to be automatically' actuated by the calling apparatus eifective in each of the subscribers circuits when the corresponding control device is set in a predetermined position, and an auxiliary jack adjacent each ofl said auxiliary signals and in parallel with the corresponding answering jack on the switchboard,

said auxiliary answering jacks and signals being mounted on a board separate from the main switchboard, and the control devices being interposed in a separate group between the main switchboard and the auxiliary switchboard.

4. A telephone system comprising an exchange switchboard equipment including a plurality of subscribers circuits each having an answering jack, and calling apparatus therefor, and an auxiliary circuit including a manual switch and a signal connected with each of said subscribers circuits and adapted to be automatically actuated by the calling apparatus effective in each of the subscribers circuits when the corresponding manual switch is in closed position, and an auxiliary i answering jack adjacent each of said aux- -iliary signals and in parallel with the corresponding answering jack on the switchboard, said auxiliary answering jacks and signals being mounted on a board separate from the Y main switchboard, and the manual switch devices being interposed in a separate group between the main switchboard andthe aux'- iliary switchboard.

5. An oliice building telephone service system, comprising an incoming telephone line, a telephone set connected thereto in a tenants oii'ice, a line from said telephone set to an outlet in a central switchboard, identifying means adjacent said outlet, and switch means operable from said tenants office to route an incoming call directly to the central switchboard, or to the telephone set in the office of the tenant, at will.

Signed at Chicago, February, 1925.

LESTER J. STEVENSON.

in., this istil day of

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