Abstract:
In telephone installations it is often necessary to know, without actually physically going off-hook, the status of the line. A solution to this problem is presented by the design of a low drain line status indicator circuit. Advantage is taken of the fact that the idle line voltage available from the switching machine is significantly greater than the busy line voltage. Accordingly, when the line is idle, a pulsating voltage is developed which is used to flash a light source at the station. When the line is busy or on hold, which situation can occur from a telephone station set connected to a remote extension, the line voltage is insufficient to enable the pulsating voltage circuit and, thus, the light source remains dark. In situations where one telephone station set serves two lines, the light sources associated with each line at each station location are arranged to flash in synchronism.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to telephone systems and, more particularly, to an arrangement for determining the status of a telephone line. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many situations it is necessary to determine the busy-idle status of a telephone line without actually connecting the telephone network across the line. For example, in a situation where a number of telephone lines end in jack connections it is sometimes advantageous to plug the telephone, or other communication equipment, into a jack associated with a known idle line without first audibly sampling each line to determine which line is idle. 
     Although the solution to the problem, namely, placing a light indicator device across the communication leads, at first appears straightforward, there are many complicating factors which must be taken into account. Of foremost concern when designing a line monitoring device is the fact that the current drain of the device must be low enough so that the switching machine does not falsely detect an off-hook condition. Also, the current drain must be sufficiently low so that any line test equipment placed on the line will not indicate a fault condition. 
     As an indication of the need for a telephone line status indicating device, the multiple extension home telephone system is a typical example. Since more than one telephone station set may become connected to the same telephone line, it often happens that while one person is communicating from one telephone station set a second person at a second station set, thinking the line is idle, lifts the receiver of the second station set and becomes bridged across the established connection. This is an undesirable situation and one that can be avoided if there is provided at each telephone station set location a visual indication of the status of the associated line. 
     In situations where it is possible to add additional wiring to telephone installations, U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,168, issued Sept. 16, 1975 to J. R. McEowen, and entitled &#34;Visual Status Indicator Circuit&#34; teaches one possible solution. However, in existing installations it is usually uneconomical to add additional wires between the telephone locations. Thus, a need exists in the art for an economical system of indicating to a subscriber at one telephone station set location the busy-idle status of the associated telephone line in situations where that telephone line is connectable to telephone station sets at different locations without necessitating the use of wires other than those which exist for communication purposes, and without excessive current drain from the switching machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     We have designed a small telephone system which meets this and other objectives, and which allows a subscriber at one telephone station set location to determine visually the operational status of a multistation telephone line. Such a visual indication system may be used both in the single line multistation application described above or it can be used in multiline situations where one or more stations are connectable to the different telephone lines. Our invention takes advantage of the fact that the idle line voltage available on the telephone line from the switching machine, such as a central office or a PBX, is significantly greater than the busy line voltage. Accordingly, when the line is idle, a first capacitor in an applique circuit associated with each line termination is charged to a level which causes a voltage breakdown device to conduct, thereby charging a second capacitor which in turn flashes a light emitting diode (LED) at the applique unit. When the line is busy or on hold, which situation can occur from a telephone station set connected to a remote extension, the line voltage from the central switching machine is insufficient to cause the voltage breakdown device to conduct and thus the light emitting device remains dark. In situations where one telephone station set serves two lines, the idle line visual indicators of each applique unit can be arranged to flash in synchronism with each other by capacitively cross-coupling the circuits. 
     The idle line indicator circuit can be used to detect communication line reversals. Taking advantage of this aspect, it is possible to arrange a hotel-motel message-waiting system where the visual indicator at each station set only flashes when the switchboard attendant operates a switch to reverse the communication leads. The advantages of such an arrangement are that the existing wiring of the hotel-motel need not be changed and that no additional power is required. 
     Accordingly, it is one feature of our invention that at each termination of a telephone line there is provided a device for visually indicating in a positive manner the idle status of the line, such device operable exclusively from potentials present on the telephone line from the switching machine. 
     It is a further feature of our invention that when two different lines terminate at the same physical locations the visual indicators of each line are cross-coupled so that they operate synchronously with each other. 
     It is a still further feature of our invention to arrange a visual indication device across the communication leads of a telephone line in a manner to detect voltage polarity reversals of the communication line. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The operation and utilization of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows in pictorial format three telephone stations connected to two central office lines; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing in greater detail the circuitry of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a chart showing typical values for the various elements; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing a simplified version of the line status indicator device of the invention; and 
     FIG. 5 shows the line status indicator device of the invention used in a message-waiting environment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In FIG. 1 there is shown a multiline, multistation system having applique units, A1, A2 and A3, each associated with a particular one of the telephone station sets S1, S2 or S3. There is also shown two communication pairs of lines, L1 and L2, extending directly to a central office or PBX switching network. These lines are each extended through junction box 10 to the applique unit associated with each station set. Each of the applique units is equipped with a pickup key, such as pickup key 1PU1, for each line connected thereto. Thus, since applique unit A1 is associated with both lines L1 and L2, two pickup keys, namely, keys 1PU1 and 1PU2, are associated therewith. Also associated with each line at each applique unit is a light emitting device, such as a light emitting diode (LED). Accordingly, applique unit A1 has associated therewith light emitting diodes 1LED-1 and 1LED-2. In situations where only one line is used, the applique unit would be arranged with only a single light source. Such an applique unit would not necessarily have a pickup key since there then would be no need to switch between lines. 
     For situations where the hold feature is desired, each applique unit would also have a hold key, such as hold key 1HLD. It should be noted that in the arrangement shown the pickup keys are locking type keys while the hold keys are of the nonlocking type. However, although the pickup keys are of the locking type, one contact, such as 1PU1-4, of each pickup key is arranged in a nonlocking manner so that when the key is depressed all of the key contacts close. However, the nonlocking contact of the depressed key only remains closed while pressure remains on the key and as soon as the pressure is removed the nonlocking contact opens, while the remainder of the key contacts stay closed. The importance of such an arrangement will be more fully appreciated from that which is to follow. Also note that the pickup keys and the hold keys at each applique unit are mechanically interconnected such that the operation of any key acts to release any other operated key. 
     Turn now to FIG. 2 and assume that both lines L1 and L2 are idle. Under such a condition the light emitting devices, such as 1LED-1 associated with line L1 and 1LED-2 associated with line L2, flash, signifying that the respective lines are, in fact, idle. This operation will now be detailed with respect to line L1 and applique A1. 
     The idle line voltage across the 1T and 1R leads of line L1 is at approximately 48 volts when line L1 is idle. The 48-volt potential is supplied in a conventional manner from the switching machine with negative potential on lead 1R and positive potential on lead 1T. This voltage serves to charge capacitor C1 slowly via resistor R12 and diode D1. Resistor R12 is selected so that only approximately 50 micro amps of current flow from the communication leads to capacitor C1. After approximately one second, the charge across capacitor C1 reaches 30 volts, causing zener diode Z1 to break down thereby supplying voltage to the gate lead of thyristor CD1, which thyristor is a three-terminal PNPN device having its anode connected to capacitor C1 and its cathode connected to capacitor C2. Thyristor CD1, which in conjunction with zener diode Z1 acts as a voltage breakdown device having a breakdown voltage value and a lower sustaining voltage value, thereupon conducts causing approximately five-sevenths of capacitor C1&#39;s charge to be supplied to capacitor C2, thereby charging capacitor C2. When capacitor C2 charges to approximately 8 volts, the voltage across thyristor CD1 drops below its sustaining voltage level and, thus, the thyristor turns off. 
     The 8-volt potential across capacitor C2 discharges through resistors R11 and R10, causing current to flow through light emitting diode 1LED-1, thereby turning that LED on. The visual device associated with line L1 remains on until the voltage across capacitor C2 is reduced to approximately 2 volts, at which time the LED again goes off. 
     When thryistor CD1 stops conducting, capacitor C1 again starts to charge, thereby generating a pulsating voltage with respect to the voltage across capacitor C2. This pulsating voltage continues so that light emitting diode 1LED-1 flashes briefly at approximately one second intervals due to the charging of capacitors C1 and C2 and the periodic conducting and nonconducting of thyristor CD1. The visual line indicator 1LED-2 associated with line L2 also periodically flashes when line L2 is idle. The idle line indicator circuit associated with line L2 operates in the same manner as does the previously described idle line indicator circuit associated with line L1. Thus, when line L2 is idle, a small current flows from -48 volts on lead 2R between the 2T and 2R leads of line L2 through resistor R15 and forward-biased diode D2, to charge capacitor C3. When the charge across capacitor C3 reaches 30 volts, the zener diode breaks down causing thyristor CD2 to conduct thereby charging capacitor C4. When capacitor C4 charges to approximately 8 volts, the voltage across thyristor CD2 drops below its sustaining voltage level and, thus, thyristor CD2 turns off. 
     The 8-volt potential across capacitor C4 discharges through resistors R14 and R13 causing current to flow through light emitting diode 1LED-2, thereby turning that LED on. The LED remains on until the voltage across capacitor C4 is reduced to approximately 2 volts, at which time the LED again goes off. 
     When thyristor CD2 stops conducting, capacitor C3 again starts to charge thereby generating a pulsating voltage with respect to the voltage across capacitor C4. This pulsating voltage continues so that light emitting diode 1LED-2 flashes briefly at approximately one second intervals due to the charging of capacitors C3 and C4 and the periodic conducting and nonconducting of thyristor CD2. Thus, when both lines L1 and L2 are idle, both LED devices at applique unit A1 visually turn on and off periodically. 
     Synchronism of Flash Rates Between Lines 
     Since the precise turn-on time and turn-off time of each LED is controlled by the charge rate of the respective capacitors and the precise breakdown voltage of the respective zener diodes, the flash rates of each LED are random with respect to each other. This random flashing could cause confusion at a telephone station where each line is flashing at a different rate. To remedy this situation, capacitors C5 and C6, which capacitors have a small capacitance value, are utilized to cross-couple the two lines at each applique unit. Under such a condition, jumpers J1, J2, J3 and J4 are used to connect these capacitors into the circuit. Synchronism is achieved when both lines are idle since, under such a condition, a small signal pulse is supplied from capacitor C2 via capacitor C6 to the gate of thyristor CD2. Thus, when thyristor CD1 begins to conduct under control of zener diode Z1, a current pulse is provided to trigger thyristor CD2, which thyristor will only conduct if line L2 is idle since only under such a condition will the voltage across the zener diode be sufficient to permit breakdown of the thyristor. Capacitors C5 and C6 are selected with small values to avoid audible cross-coupling between the lines and so that only small signals are supplied to the other circuit in order that the other line light emitting device remains off when that other line is busy even though a signal is provided via the cross-coupled capacitor. 
     Busy Line Indications 
     Assume now that line L1 becomes busy. Under such a condition network 101 at station S1, or any other station, is connected across leads 1T and 1R of line L1 via enabled pickup key contacts 1PU1-1 and 1PU1-3. Under such a condition, the voltage between leads 1T and 1R of line L1 drops below 30 volts. Accordingly, capacitor C1 now cannot charge above the value of 30 volts and, accordingly, zener diode Z1 cannot conduct. Thus, the LED associated with line L1 remains off. It is important to understand that the voltage across line L1 drops below 30 volts when any of the stations are connected across line L1 and, thus, even if the network (not shown) associated with station S2 is connected to line L1 via applique unit A2, the voltage across leads 1T and 1R of line L1 at all of the applique units would be reduced below 30 volts, thereby rendering the visual indication devices of line L1 at all of the applique units dark. 
     If any station set associated with line L1 goes into the hold condition, the line voltage of line L1 remains below 30 volts and, thus, all of the line L1 visual indication devices at all of the applique units remain dark except for the visual device of the applique associated with the station location which placed the connection on hold, which visual device turns on in a steady manner. Accordingly, the busy-idle status of each line is visually determinable at each station location without interconnecting the locations and without a central control circuit. In addition, all power for operation is supplied from the central switching machine. 
     Hold Control 
     The pickup and hold keys are mechanically interlocked with each other such that when the hold key is depressed, the contacts of that key close, but the currently selected pickup key remains operated. When the hold key is released, any operated pickup key releases concurrently. 
     Continuing now in FIG. 2, the hold circuit operation will now be detailed using the assumption that station S1 is communicating over line L1. Thus, pickup key 1PU1 is operated in applique A1 connecting network 101 of station S1 via switchhook contact SH-1 and leads T1 and R1, through applique unit A1 and enabled pickup key contacts 1PU1-1 and 1PU1-3 to leads 1T and 1R of line L1. At this point, operation of the hold key causes relay A to operate via the potential on lead 1T of line L1, enabled pickup key contact 1PU1-1, enabled switchhook contact SH-1, now enabled hold key contact 1HLD-1, enabled pickup key contact 1PU1-2, through the winding of the A relay through resistor R10 and light emitting device 1LED-1 to the 1R lead of line L1. Since 1LED-1 is in series with the A relay winding, the LED operates concurrently with the operation of relay A. The A relay holds operated via enabled make contact A-1. Removing pressure from the hold key causes all of the pickup key contacts to release, thereby removing network 101 from the connection. However, current continues to flow from central office line L1 through the coil of relay A and through light emitting diode 1LED-1, maintaining the voltage on line L1 below 30 volts. Thus, station S1 is on hold with respect to line L1 and the visual indication device 1LED-1 associated with line L1 in applique unit A1 is on in a steady manner as a visual indication to the subscriber that the line is on hold. 
     However, the visual indication devices (not shown) with respect to line L1 at applique units A2 and A3 remain off since, as discussed above, the voltage across line L1 at each applique unit is below 30 volts and the respective voltage breakdown circuits in each applique unit maintain the visual devices associated therewith in an off condition. 
     When station S1, or any other station, desires to become reconnected to line L1, the pickup key associated with line L1 is depressed. Thus, a short circuit is momentarily placed across the winding of relay A to release that relay. This short circuit consists of a path which extends from lead 1T of line L1 via now enabled pickup key contact 1PU1-1, switchhook contact SH-1, enabled pickup key contact 1PU1-4, enabled pickup key contact 1PU1-3 to lead 1R of line L1. Thus, relay A releases at this point. Network 101 of station S1 is also shorted at this time via lead H1, enabled pickup key contact 1PU1-4 and lead R1. However, as was discussed earlier, when operating pressure is removed from the pickup key, contact 1PU1-4 opens and thus network 101 is connected over leads T1 and R1 via enabled pickup key contacts 1PU1-1 and 1PU1-3 to leads 1T and 1R of line L1. At this point communication is again possible over the communication leads of line L1. Since contact 1PU1-4 acts to short across network 101, pressure on the pickup key can be used to remove temporarily the network from the communication path for privacy purposes. 
     Of course, it will be obvious that, since the hold relay is held operated by line current from the central switching machine, the hold relay will release when current is interrupted momentarily at the central office. When such a situation occurs, the central office voltage will rise to 48 volts and the visual indication device associated with the line at each location will again flash in a periodic manner. 
     Ringing Indication 
     Central office ringing signals can be utilized to cause a line LED to flutter. Two methods of accomplishing this are shown in FIG. 2. On line L1, the set&#39;s internal ringer 102 is connected between lead 1T and the junction of resistors R10 and R11. The internal ringer normally contains a series capacitor to block DC current while allowing the passage of the 20Hz, 90VAC ringing potential from the central office. Thus, when ringing potential appears across leads 1T and 1R, 20Hz AC current flows through ringer 102, resistor R10 and light emitting diode 1LED-1, causing the LED to light in a fluttering manner at a 40-pulse-per-second rate. On line L2 in FIG. 2, a series resistor-capacitor combination R16 and C7 is used in a similar manner between lead 2T and the junction of resistors R13 and R14 to cause light emitting diode 1LED-2 to respond in a fluttering fashion to ringing potential applied from the central office across leads 2T and 2R. Thus, a visual indication of ringing can be provided for each line at each station, using the same LED which functions to indicate the busy, idle, and held states of the line. It should be noted that if a 20-pulse-per-second flash rate is desired, the LED should not be bipolar as shown in FIG. 2 but rather should be a one direction device, as shown in FIG. 4. 
     Simplified Line Status Indicator Circuit 
     In FIG. 4 there is shown a simplified line status indicator device 40. For simplification, the various elements of the device are labeled with the same designations as the corresponding elements shown in FIG. 2. The values of these elements, as shown in FIG. 3, are also the same and, of course, resistors R10 and R11 can be combined into a single resistor. Line status indicator device 40 can be used whenever it is desired to know the busy-idle status of a single telephone communication line. The device can either be housed in a separate unit or it can be mounted inside the telephone station. 
     Message-Waiting Signal 
     Line status indicator device 40 can also be used in situations such as hotel-motel environments where it is desired to provide a signal that a message is waiting. The addition of a message-waiting switch, such as switch MW, as shown in FIG. 5, is all that is necessary to convert busy-idle indicator device 40 to a message-waiting device. Under such a situation, the switch MW is ideally located at the hotel-motel switchboard or at the front desk. When a message is waiting the attendant operates the switch, thereby reversing the communication leads. 
     As discussed previously, when the communication line from the switching machine is idle, the negative potential present on the R lead causes capacitor C1 to charge to a value sufficient to cause the voltage breakdown circuit to conduct current. However, when switch MW is operated, diode D1 in the line status indicator device (as shown in FIG. 4) is back biased from the negative potential supplied via lead R, because the communication pair of leads are reversed, and the LED remains off even though the communication line is idle. When a message is waiting the attendant releases the MW switch, thereby allowing the LED to pulsate, in the manner discussed above, from the idle line voltage available over the communication leads. In such an environment, the pulsating LED signifies that a message is waiting. 
     It should be noted that the MW switch is shown as a transfer switch for the purpose of converting the line status indicator circuit from a busy-idle circuit to a message-waiting circuit without modification of the line status indicator device 40 and without the necessity of adding signaling leads between the attendant and each telephone station set. 
     Conclusion 
     Although the inventive concept of using the line voltage present from the central switching machine to operate a visual signaling device is shown with a zener diode-thyristor control circuit, it should be understood that such a control circuit can be replaced with other types of control circuits, such as, for example, a two-terminal PNPN device.