Line use indicator for telephone sets sharing a single line

摘要

Where several telephone sets are connected to a single telephone line, it would be convenient to have a visual indication that the line is in use, to avoid lifting a handset to see if there is a conversation, for example. A circuit is installed across the telephone line, the circuit having a voltage divider connected between Tip and Ring, a first transistor with its base connected to the center of the voltage divider, a second transistor with its base connected to the collector of the first transistor and a third transistor having its base connected to the emitter of the second transistor, with a light emitting device connected between either Tip or Ring conductor and the collectors of the second and third transistors. The light emitting device can be a light emitting diode. An optical coupler cooperative with the light emitting device can be used to turn on power to light emitting devices in all the telephones, from a separate power source.