Switching device for a telephone set with handset, switching an

Details Switching device for a telephone set with handset, switching an Switching device for a telephone set with handset, switching an

1996-05-29

1998-07-07

Chiang, Jack

Telephonic communications

Terminal

Housing or housing component

379420, 379447, 379448, 379424, H04M 100

Patent

active

057780617

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switching device for a telephone set having a handset, said device enabling an auxiliary device to be substituted for the handset.
The device of the invention finds many applications: so-called "hands free" telephony using a telephone set not designed for this purpose, connection to a teleconferencing system, connection to a system for hearing impaired persons, to a signal modulation and/or demodulation system, etc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a first category of known devices, the handset of a telephone is coupled to an auxiliary device. In this type of devices, an acoustic coupler is used into which the handset is inserted. In fact, an auxiliary device is not substituted for the handset, since the handset continues to fulfill its function: sound output function using the earpiece and sound pick-up function using the microphone, i.e. the transducers with which it is provided. The earpiece is coupled to a microphone in the acoustic coupler, and reciprocally, the acoustic coupler is provided with an electro-acoustic transducer coupled to the microphone of the handset. The conversion of the signals in both directions is therefore complex and their quality may suffer in consequence.
One device of this type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,738 (Katsuyuki Takamo), for example.
In a second category of known devices, an auxiliary device is really substituted for the handset of a telephone set, and a manual switch having two stable positions is used.
One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,156. This embodiment is more particularly suitable for telephone sets in which the handset is connected to the main circuitry in the telephone set by a cord terminated by a plug-in connector. A casement is inserted between the telephone and the handset, connected to the main circuitry of the telephone set by a cord and a plug-in connector of the same type, the handset being connected to the casement. In the example described, the casement comprises various electronic interface circuits for transmitting and receiving signals and an earpiece-microphone assembly. A two-position manual switch substitutes the handset for said assembly and vice versa.
However, in the aforementioned example, after using the auxiliary device the user may, without thinking, replace the handset on its hook or in its cradle, the consequence of which is unintentionally to cut off the call in progress.


OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has therefore as an object a switching device that is simple to use, on the one hand, and prevents all possibility of misoperation, on the other hand.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus relates to a switching device for a telephone set having a handset, the switching device being used to connect an auxiliary device electrically to the telephone set by substituting it for said handset, the handset being connected to said switching device, the latter being connected to said telephone set in place of said handset, characterized in that it comprises a casing including means adapted to receive said handset when it is lifted off the telephone set; and in that said means are provided with a switching member having two switching states, the switching member detecting the presence of said handset to switch from a first switching state in which only the handset is in service to a second switching state in which only said auxiliary device is in service.
In one particular embodiment, a casing may be provided comprising two compartments for respectively receiving the ends of the handset corresponding to the earpiece and to the microphone. The exact shape of the casing and of said compartments are naturally imposed by the configuration of the handset.
A switching member with galvanic contacts is placed in the bottom of these compartments, for example. The mere fact of placing the handset on this casing actuates the switching member. As a result the handset is set out of service and, at the same time,

REFERENCES:
patent: 2082130 (1937-06-01), Varley
patent: 2952739 (1960-09-01), Lehman
patent: 3413423 (1968-11-01), Sterko
patent: 4845738 (1989-07-01), Takano
patent: 4907267 (1990-03-01), Gutzmer
patent: 4930156 (1990-05-01), Norris
patent: 5010565 (1991-04-01), Nash et al.

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