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A telephone number coding device for eliminating unwanted telephone calls by requiring that a caller dial a special number code, in addition to a regular telephone number, in order for a telephone connected to the device to “ring.”The coding device contains a sound generator which simulates telephon

A telephone number coding device for eliminating unwanted telephone calls by requiring that a caller dial a special number code, in addition to a regular telephone number, in order for a telephone connected to the device to “ring.”The coding device contains a sound generator which simulates telephone ring signals to alert the device user of an incoming call only when a caller dials a special number code consisting of one or more digits. Since the code is revealed only to those the device user wishes to have call him, all unwanted calls are eliminated. Thumbwheel switches are provided on the device for the user to preselect a desired code, and allow instant code change at any time. The coding device includes dual detectors, allowing a caller to dial a required code using standard telephone dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones, if a tone telephone is available, and allowing a caller to “dial”a required code by rapidly tapping on a telephone mouthpiece so that each series of taps equals each digit of the code, if a pushbutton or rotary telephone is available. The coding device automatically silences the ringer mechanism of a telephone connected to it, and also provides an accessory which silences the ringer mechanism of an extension telephone used with the device. Either a primary or extension telephone can be used to answer calls which are received by the coding device. All cooperating telephones function normally, except that the ringer mechanisms are silenced.

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A telephone number coding device for eliminating unwanted telephone calls, intended to be connected between a telephone line and a telephone set, said coding device comprising in combination: a first ringer silencing means connected in series between said telephone line and telephone set for silenci

A telephone number coding device for eliminating unwanted telephone calls, intended to be connected between a telephone line and a telephone set, said coding device comprising in combination: a first ringer silencing means connected in series between said telephone line and telephone set for silencing a ringer mechanism of said telephone set; ring detector means connected in parallel with said telephone line, and line hold means connected in parallel with said telephone set, said ring detector means actuating said line hold means in response to ring signals appearing on said telephone line for automatically answering a telephone call and placing said call on hold; power relay means operatively associated with said line hold means for switching power to said coding device in response to actuation of said line hold means; audio relay means cooperating with said line hold means and telephone line for transferring sound to and from said telephone line; first and second amplifier means cooperating with said audio relay means for amplifying an audio signal comprising a special number code dialed by a caller to access said coding device; receiver and detector means cooperating with said first and second amplifier means for receiving and detecting the presence of said special number code on said telephone line; a memory associated with the outputs of said receiver and detector means for temporarily storing said special number code; a plurality of indicia bearing switching means for preselecting said special number code by the user of said coding device; comparator means cooperating with the outputs of said memory and said plurality of indicia bearing switching means for comparing a dialed special number code with a preselected special number code and providing a logic signal when both codes are identical; a first timing means actuated by said logic signal for providing a predetermined timed interval when said codes are identical; sound generator and third amplifier means actuated by said first timing means for generating and amplifying simulated ring signals in response to a correctly dialed special number code, said sound generator and third amplifier means further cooperating with said audio relay means, line hold means, and telephone line for transferring said simulated ring signals to said telephone line for the benefit of a caller accessing said coding device; a transducer operatively associated with said sound generator and third amplifier means for reproducing said simulated ring signals for the benefit of the coding device user; a second timing means cooperating with said first timing means, associated gating means, and said line hold means for automatically releasing said telephone line subsequent to a predetermined timed delay when said special number code is incorrectly dialed; and a second ringer silencing means connected in series between said telephone line and an extension telephone for silencing a ringer mechanism of an extension telephone cooperating with said telephone set.