Patent US1120268A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3692948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Telephone queuing circuit
Assignee: WESTERN ELECTRIC CO Ltd
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Filing: 1970-12-24
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-12-24
Abstract
Abstract An analog method and circuit for queuing incoming telephone calls and releasing the calls in order of age. A timing station is provided for each call circuit, in which a voltage varies as the time, relative to calls at other stations, a call has been waiting at that particular station. When an operator is ready to service a call, all the station voltages are changed equally and in the same sense as the voltage variations, and the first station to reach a predetermined voltage level is detected.
Inventors
- 👤 Wesley John Warner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of queuing and servicing incoming telephone calls in the order of their waiting time, oldest first, comprising the steps of: providing, at a plurality of stations each characteristic of a separate call circuit, a voltage at each station varying, in the same sense for all said stations and as the time a call at that station has been waiting in relation to the time that calls at others of said stations have been waiting; causing a change in each of the station voltages in said same sense and at a faster rate than said voltage variation, said voltage change being the same in each of said stations; and detecting the first of said stations the changed voltage of which reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of queuing and servicing incoming telephone calls in the order of their waiting time, oldest first, comprising the steps of: providing, at a plurality of stations each characteristic of a separate call circuit, a voltage at each station varying, in the same sense for all said stations and as the time a call at that station has been waiting in relation to the time that calls at others of said stations have been waiting; causing a change in each of the station voltages in said same sense and at a faster rate than said voltage variation, said voltage change being the same in each of said stations; and detecting the first of said stations the changed voltage of which reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 with the added step, responsive to the acceptance of a call, of returning said station voltages to the value which said station voltages would have reached absent said faster rate change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 with the added step, responsive to the termination of an accepted call, of returning the voltage, at that station having its call accepted, to its level at zero waiting time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the voltage at each station is varied by current leak through a resistor of high ohmic value to a capacitor and employing a level detector to detect the changed voltage on the capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
A queuing circuit for servicing incoming telephone calls in the order of their waiting time, oldest first, comprising: a plurality of stations each characteristic of a separate call circuit; means for producing a voltage at each of said stations varying, in the same sense for all said stations and as the time a call at said station has been waiting in relation to the time that calls at others of said stations have been waiting; means for changing each of the station voltages in said same sense and at a faster rate than said voltage variations, said voltage change being the same in each of said stations; and means for detecting the station the changed voltage of which first reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
A queuing circuit for servicing incoming telephone calls in the order of their waiting time, oldest first, comprising: a plurality of stations each characteristic of a separate call circuit; means for producing a voltage at each of said stations varying, in the same sense for all said stations and as the time a call at said station has been waiting in relation to the time that calls at others of said stations have been waiting; means for changing each of the station voltages in said same sense and at a faster rate than said voltage variations, said voltage change being the same in each of said stations; and means for detecting the station the changed voltage of which first reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 5 in which the means for producing the varying voltage at each of said stations comprises a capacitor having one plate connected with a first voltage source, the circuit being constructed, designed and connected so that the plate will maintain a voltage of predetermined value on initiation of a call on said input line, and means to vary the voltage on the other plate of the capacitor at a predetermined rate from the time said call has been initiated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 6 in which the means to vary the voltage on said other plate of the capacitor comprises a second voltage source of opposite potential to said first voltage source and connected to said plate through a first resistor of high ohmic value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
186 words
A queuing circuit for servicing incoming telephone calls in the order of their waiting time, comprising: a plurality of stations each characteristic of a separate call circuit; a voltage source of positive potential; a voltage source of negative potential; in each of said stations (a) a capacitor having one plate connected with said positive voltage source and the other plate connected with said negative voltage source, (b) a resistor of high ohmic value connected in series with said negative voltage source and in series with said other plate of the capacitor, (c) means to shunt the capacitor when the station is inoperative and to remove the shunt when an incoming call is initiated with respect to the station whereby a negative going voltage is produced on said other plate, and (d) means for detecting when the negative going voltage on said other plate reaches a predetermined level; and actuable means, common to all said stations, for changing the voltage on said one plate in a negative going direction at a faster rate than said negative going voltage on said other plate and in the same sense.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
186 words
A queuing circuit for servicing incoming telephone calls in the order of their waiting time, comprising: a plurality of stations each characteristic of a separate call circuit; a voltage source of positive potential; a voltage source of negative potential; in each of said stations (a) a capacitor having one plate connected with said positive voltage source and the other plate connected with said negative voltage source, (b) a resistor of high ohmic value connected in series with said negative voltage source and in series with said other plate of the capacitor, (c) means to shunt the capacitor when the station is inoperative and to remove the shunt when an incoming call is initiated with respect to the station whereby a negative going voltage is produced on said other plate, and (d) means for detecting when the negative going voltage on said other plate reaches a predetermined level; and actuable means, common to all said stations, for changing the voltage on said one plate in a negative going direction at a faster rate than said negative going voltage on said other plate and in the same sense.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |