Telephone Number Display

The given circuit, when connected in parallel to a telephone, dis- plays the number dialled from the telephone set using the DTMF mode. This circuit can also show the number dialled from the phone of the called party. This is particularly helpful for receiving any number over the phone lines. The DTMF signal 'generated by the phone on dialling a number' is decoded by DTMF decoder CM8870P1 (IC1), which converts the received DTMF signal into its equivalent BCD number that corresponds to the dialled number. This binary number is stored sequentially in 10 latches each time a number is dialled from the phone. The first number is stored in...

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Cordless phone backup

Normally the base of a cordless phone has an adaptor and the handset has Ni-Cd cells for its operation. The base unit becomes inoperative in case of power failure. In such conditions, it is better to provide a backup using Ni-Cd cells externally. Here is a simple circuit which can be used with cordless phone SANYO CLT-420 or similar sets. The working is simple. When AC mains is present, Ni-Cd cells are charged through IC LM317L, which is wired as a current source. Also, diode D3 is reverse-biased, which keeps Ni-Cd cells isolated from positive rail. When AC mains goes off, the Ni-Cd cells provide supply to the cordless phone base unit...

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Multipurpose Circuit for telephone

This add-on device for telephones can be connected in parallel to the telephone instrument. The circuit provides audio-visual indication of on-hook, off-hook, and ringing modes. It can also be used to connect the telephone to a cid (caller identification device) through a relay and also to indicate tapping or misuse of telephone lines by sounding a buzzer.  In on-hook mode, 48V dc supply is maintained across the telephone lines. In this case, the bi-colour led glows in green, indicating the idle state of the telephone. The value of resistor r1 can be changed somewhat to adjust the led glow, without loading the telephone lines...

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Remote control using telephone

Here is a teleremote circuit which enables switching 'on' and 'off' of appliances through telephone lines. It can be used to switch appliances from any distance, overcoming the limited range of infrared and radio remote controls. The circuit described here can be used to switch up to nine appliances (corresponding to the digits 1 through 9 of the telephone key-pad). The DTMF signals on telephone instrument are used as control signals. The digit '0' in DTMF mode is used to toggle between the appliance mode and normal telephone operation mode. Thus the telephone can be used to switch on or switch off the appliances also while being used...

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Conversation Recorder

This circuit enables automatic switching-on of the tape recorder when the handset is lifted. The tape recorder gets switched off when the handset is replaced. The signals are suitably attenuated to a level at which they can be recorded using the 'MIC-IN' socket of the tape recorder.  Points X and Y in the circuit are connected to the telephone lines. Resistors R1 and R2 act as a voltage divider. The voltage appearing across R2 is fed to the 'MIC-IN' socket of the tape recorder. The values of R1 and R2 may be changed depending on the input impedance of the tape recorder's 'MIC-IN' terminals. Capacitor C1 is used for blocking the...

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Phone Broadcaster

Here is a simple yet very useful circuit which can be used to eavesdrop on a telephone conversation. The circuit can also be used as a wireless telephone amplifier. One important feature of this circuit is that the circuit derives its power directly from the active telephone lines, and thus avoids use of any external battery or other power supplies. This not only saves a lot of space but also money. It consumes very low current from telephone lines without disturbing its performance. The circuit is very tiny and can be built using a single-IC type veroboard that can be easily fitted inside a telephone connection box of 3.75 cm x 5...

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Having secrecy in parallel telephones

Often a need arises for connection of two telephone instruments in parallel to one line. But it creates quite a few problems in their proper performance, such as overloading and overhearing of the conversation by an undesired person. In order to eliminate all such problems and get a clear reception, a simple scheme is presented here (Fig. 1). This system will enable the incoming ring to be heard at both the ends. The DPDT switch, installed with each of the parallel telephones, connects you to the line in one position of the switch and disconnects you in the other position of the switch. At any one time, only one telephone is connected...

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Telephone call meter using calculator and COB

In this circuit, a simple calculator, in conjunction with a COB (chip-on-board) from an analogue quartz clock, is used to make a telephone call meter. The calculator enables conversion of STD/ISD calls to local call equivalents and always displays current local call-meter reading. The circuit is simple and presents an elegant look, with feather-touch operation. It consumes very low current and is fully battery operated. The batteries used last more than a year. Another advantage of using this circuit is that it is compatible with any type of pulse rate format, i.e. pulse rate in whole number, or whole number with decimal value. Recently,...

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Telephone line based audio muting and light on circuit

 Very often when enjoying music or watching TV at high audio level, we may not be able to hear a telephone ring and thus miss an important incoming phone call. To overcome this situation, the circuit presented here can be used. The circuit would automatically light a bulb on arrival of a telephone ring and simultaneously mute the music system/TV audio for the duration the telephone handset is off-hook. Lighting of the bulb would not only indicate an incoming call but also help in locating the telephone during darkness. On arrival of a ring, or when the handset is off-hook, the inbuilt transistor of IC1 (opto-coupler) conducts...

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Telephone Ringer using 556 dual timers

Using modulated rectangular waves of different time periods, The circuit presented here produces ringing tones similar to those produced by a telephone. The circuit requires four astable multivibrators for its working. Therefore two 556 ICs are used here. The IC 556 contains two timers (similar to 555 ICs) in a single package. One can also assemble this circuit using four separate 555 ICs. The first multivibrator produces a rectangular waveform with 1-second 'low' duration and 2-second 'high' duration. This waveform is used to control the next multivibrator that produces another rectangular waveform. A resistor R7 is used at the collector...

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Two line intercom plus a telephone changeover switch

The circuit presented here can be used for connecting two telephones in parallel and also as a 2-line intercom. Usually a single telephone is connected to a telephone line. If another telephone is required at some distance, a parallel line is taken for connecting the other telephone. In this simple parallel line operation, the main problem is loss of privacy besides interference from the other phone. This problem is obviated in the circuit presented here. Under normal condition, two telephones (telephone 1 and 2) can be used as intercom while telephone 3 is connected to the lines from exchange. In changeover mode, exchange line is disconnected...

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Smart Phone light

The circuit shown here is used to switch on a lamp when the tele- phone rings, if the ambient light is insufficient. The circuit uses only two ICs and it can be implemented very easily. A light dependent resistance (LDR), with about 5 kilo-ohms resistance in the ambient light and greather than 100 kilo-ohms in darkness, is at the heart of the circuit. The circuit is fully isolated from the phone lines and it draws current only when the phone rings. The circuit provides automatic switching on of a lamp during darkness when the phone is kept in a place such as the bedroom. The lamp can be battery powered to provide light during power...

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Telephone Headgear

Acompact, inexpensive and low component count telecom head- set can be constructed using two readily available transistors and a few other electronic components. This circuit is very useful for hands-free operation of EPABX and pager communication. Since the circuit draws very little current, it is ideal for parallel operation with electronic telephone set. Working of the circuit is simple and straightforward. Resistor R1 and an ordinary neon glow- lamp forms a complete visual ringer circuit. This simple arrangement does not require a DC blocking capacitor because, under idle conditions, the telephone line voltage is insufficient to...

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Telephone Line Vigilant

 Here is a telephone line vigilant circuit to guard against mis- use of your telephone lines. It monitors telephone lines round the clock and provides visual as well as an audio warning (when someone is using your telephone lines) which can be heard anywhere in the house. Another advantage of using this circuit is that one comes to know of the misuse and snapping of the lines (due to any reason) instantaneously on its occurance. This enables the subscriber to take necessary remedial measures in proper time. Various telephone line conditions and audio-visual indications available are summarised in Table I.   Even when...

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Audio Visual Ringer

 Many a times one needs an ex- tra telephone ringer in an ad- joining room to know if there is an incoming call. For example, if the telephone is installed in the drawing room you may need an extra ringer in the bedroom. All that needs to be done is to connect the given circuit in parallel with the existing telephone lines using twin flexible wires. This circuit does not require any external power source for its operation. The section comprising resistor R1 and diodes D5 and LED1 provides a visual indication of the ring. Remaining part of the circuit is the audio ringer based on IC1 (BA8204 or ML8204). This integrated circuit, ...

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