Telephonic communications – Diagnostic testing – malfunction indication – or electrical... – Using portable test set
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-08
2001-08-21
Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2743)
Telephonic communications
Diagnostic testing, malfunction indication, or electrical...
Using portable test set
C379S150000, C379S143000, C379S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278768
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to a telephone testing fixture, and more particularly pertains to a testing fixture which can simulate and diagnose the functions of a conventional payphone.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art discloses various telephone testing and monitoring devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,613 to Allen discloses an apparatus for protecting and testing telephone networks. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,103 to Oehrig discloses a coin telephone monitor circuit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,644 to Butterworth discloses a method and apparatus for testing telephone coin relays. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,458 to Reger et al. discloses a lower power control apparatus for a coin operated telephone.
None of the devices of the prior art, however, teach or suggest the use of a portable testing fixture which simulates various telephone functions and tests the operational status of the escrow relay.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved telephone testing devices which can be used for the diagnosis of escrow relay devices. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable testing fixture which can both simulate various telephone functions, as well as diagnose the operational status of the telephone's escrow relay device.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a fixture for simulating and testing various functions of a conventional payphone. The fixture includes a receptor associated with the fixture for accepting a conventional phone line. An electrical connector is interconnected with the fixture and is adapted to be interconnected with an escrow relay device of the payphone. A diagnostic circuit is interconnected to the receptor and the electrical connector. The diagnostic circuit functions to selectively operate the coin return and coin accepting functions of the payphone. The diagnostic circuit includes a rectifier interconnected with the receptor, and a capacitor interconnected to the rectifier. The capacitor functions to store a charge greater than the potential of the phone line. A push button is interconnected to the capacitor, with the push button having a first orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is opened and the capacitor is charged, and a second orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is closed and the capacitor is capable of being discharged. A selection switch is interconnected to the push button, with the switch having an orientation wherein the coin returning functions of the payphone are tested, and an orientation wherein the coin collecting functions of the payphone are tested.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable fixture which can be conveniently transported to various payphones.
It is another object of the present invention to provide to testing fixture which can be easily and quickly interconnected to a payphone being tested.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a testing fixture which can assess the operational status of the escrow relay device of a payphone.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a portable fixture which can quickly and repeatedly supply the voltage necessary to operate an escrow relay.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable fixture for simulating and testing various functions of a conventional payphone. The fixture includes a numeric keypad operably positioned upon the fixture housing. Two sets of electrical connectors are associated with the fixture, with the electrical connectors adapted to be removably interconnected with a handset of a conventional payphone. A quick connect/disconnect receptor is associated with the fixture for accepting a conventional phone line. A three pin connector is interconnected with the fixture and is adapted to be interconnected with an escrow relay device of the payphone. Furthermore, an umbilical cord is associated with the fixture. The umbilical cord is adapted to be interconnected with a motherboard of the payphone. The umbilical cord is adapted to relay information to and from the fixture. A hook dial switch is associated with the fixture. The hook dial switch has a first orientation simulating an on-hook phone line and a second orientation simulating an off-hook phone line. A diagnostic circuit serves to interconnect the receptor and the three pin connector. The diagnostic circuit functions to selectively operate the coin return and coin accepting functions of the payphone. The diagnostic circuit includes a bridge rectifier which is interconnected with the receptor. The rectifier functions to convert the voltage associated with the phone line to a predetermined polarity. A capacitor is interconnected to the rectifier and functions to selectively deliver a charge greater than the potential of the phone line. A push button is also interconnected to the capacitor. The button has a first orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is opened and the capacitor is charged, and a second orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is closed and the capacitor is capable of being discharged. A selection switch is interconnected to the push button. The switch has a first orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is opened; a second orientation wherein the coin returning functions of the payphone are tested; and a third orientation wherein the coin collecting functions of the payphone are tested.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3711661 (1973-01-01), Garrett et al.
patent: 3725613 (1973-04-01), Allen et al.
patent: 4326103 (1982-04-01), Oehrig
patent: 4582965 (1986-04-01), Lembke
patent: 4777644 (1988-10-01), Butterworth et al.
patent: 4926458 (1990-05-01), Reger et al.
patent: 4926468 (1990-05-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5369690 (1994-11-01), Comfort
patent: 5960060 (1999-09-01), Kaibel
Barnie Rexford
Kuntz Curtis
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