Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a data communication unit; a speech communication unit; a connection unit for connecting to a plurality of lines; and a switching unit for selectively connecting the data communication unit and the speech communication unit to any one of the plurality of lines. Both speech and data communication units may be used concurrently. The communication apparatus further includes a memory unit for storing line information identifying a line different from another line in use for data communication or speech communication. An automatic calling to both speech and data communication units may be effected by a single calling operation by the operator.

Abstract: A pay facsimile machine, which is similar to a pay telephone, is allowed to be connected to a network for a communication time period, the length of which is determined depending on the amount of money deposited. When the end of the communication time period approaches, a warning signal is given to the user, and if an additional deposit of money is made, the communication time period is extended; however, if no additional deposit is made, the connection is automatically disconnected. If an original document is half transmitted when such a disconnection has happened, the original document is held as it is in a reading unit. When the transmission is resumed, the original document is transported in a forward direction, or, alternatively, is first moved backward for a predetermined distance and then moved forward. A pay facsimile machine is also preferably provided with a remaining time indicating device which indicates the remaining amount of the communication time period either visually or audibly.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus has a data communication unit for performing a data communication; a speech unit for performing communication; an output unit for outputting a signal received from a partner station; and a control unit for judging if there is a possibility of communication by the partner and controlling the output unit based on the judgment result.

Abstract: A pair of devices is provided of similar construction. Each device includes a beam-splitter, a CRT for providing an image from the remote device and a TV camera to send an image to the remote device. The image from the CRT is viewable by a person using the device at all times. The TV camera will sense and send an image either of a person using the device or an item to be viewed. A pair of selectively operable light sources are provided to illuminate either the person or the item. If the person is illuminated, the TV camera transmits an image of the person. If the item is illuminated, the TV camera transmits an image of the item. A sound system is provided for audio communication. Computer means may be provided for controlling operation of the device.

Abstract: A key telephone system includes a temporary registration memory for temporarily storing operating data and a final registration timing data memory for storing final registration timing data, including a timing condition for transferring contents of the temporary registration memory to the operating data memory. Operating data input by a user and the final registration timing data are written into the temporary registration memory and the final registration timing data memory, respectively, from a data input unit connected to the main unit during a data setting mode. The system discriminates establishment of the timing condition designated in accordance with the final registration timing data stored in the final registration timing data memory, whereupon the operating data stored in the temporary registration memory is transferred to the operating data memory.

Abstract: Automatic meter readers are arranged for connection to customers' telephone lines and for automatic dialing for transmission of meter data to a computer of a utility control center, communications being effected through a call collection module which includes a plurality of call collection units connected to separate telephone lines for handling of a large number of calls. Each meter reader is battery-operated and includes a microprocessor which is powered up periodically for a short time interval to store data, to determine whether the number of power-ups since the last meter data transmission is such that a call to the utility control center should be instituted, and to determine whether leakage, tamper or other conditions require an immediate call.

Abstract: A conventional "Touch-Tone" telephone instrument is rendered functional in the same manner and to the same extent as a computer terminal having alpha-numeric capability, as regards transmission of queries directed to computerized data bases. It is also rendered functional as a recipient of information transmitted from the data base though a telephone network to provide intelligence heretofore made available only on the video screen of the computer terminal, or through automatic printers. Disclosed is the substitution of the instrument for a computer terminal and its associated video screen or teleprinter, without requirement of modification of the instrument, so that a subscriber gains from the use of the telephone functions heretofore obtainable only by providing oneself with a computer terminal and its associated screen and/or automatic printer. The user spells out one or more words by depressing the conventional alpha-numerically marked keys of a "Touch-Tone" telephone instrument.

Abstract: An interactive system transfers video and audio information from a central facility to terminals by means of addressed television frames. Each audio frame includes information representing a single channel of time compressed audio. The terminals store correctly addressed frames. Video frames are repeatedly replayed to provide series of still-frame images. The audio frame is used to generate a normal speed audio output.

Abstract: A data gathering system includes a plurality of remote units which are controlled from a central location. Each of the remote units is attached to a television receiver which is generally but not necessarily attached to a cable system. Each of the remote units can function to determine which of several TV modes is in use as well as to store TV channel selector data, data from an optical input device, and/or data input by viewers representative of the composition of the viewing audience. The data is stored for either later collection by a portable data collector, or for direct transmission via telephone to the central location. A video message for a TV viewer, such as a survey, may be transmitted from the central location and stored at the remote units, for later display on the TV receiver associated with the remote units. Substitution of alternate programming information may also be achieved by the central control point on selected of the remote units.

Abstract: A telephone connecting adapter connects one of a different terminal equipment alternately to a common telephone line upon every incoming call. If a calling party finds that the engaging equipment as a result of his call is not the desired one, the adapter connects a different terminal equipment to the telephone line upon next call. This makes it possible to shorten the access time for the desired equipment using same telephone line.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus which automatically communicates data, and has a memory for storing data to be communicated. The apparatus discriminates the status (e.g., busy or not busy) of a communication line, and determines on the basis of that discrimination whether data is to be stored in the memory or not.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for use on a telephone line where there is two or more telephones or other instruments connected in parallel to the same telephone line whereby when one of the instruments goes off-hook (in a telephone, raises the receiver) the telephone line exclusion device automatically locks out all other instruments connected in parallel with the instrument that went off-hook. Such a result is achieved by a pair of interconnected two-coil polarized normally closed reed relays which interface the incoming telephone line and the two instruments. The two lines which normally connect to each instrument on the telephone line utilizes the normally closed contacts of one relay to energize the coils of the other relay and thereby inhibit the other instrument on the telephone line by opening the normally closed contact of the second relay which is in line with the other instrument.

Abstract: A control system has two switches for connecting a telephone device and a data device to a common telephone line. Separate circuits are provided to sense the current flowing between the telephone line and each of the devices. The circuits are coupled to the switches so that when the sensed current for one of the devices exceeds a given level, the switch for the other device is activated to disconnect the other device from the telephone line.

Abstract: An IPPV technique is provided for a cable system having one-way addressable converters. Each of several central offices in a metropolitan area will provide ANI information representing the cable subscriber's phone number and a code representing the cable event to be viewed or cancelled. The data is sent asynchronously to a respective telephone communication unit located at the central office. This telephone communication unit (TCU) does some buffering, eliminates unnecessary data, and sends data synchronously to a telephone communication controller (TCC) located at the cable headend station. The TCC will acknowledge the data. There will be several TCCs located at the cable headend station corresponding to the several central offices who may give telephone service to the cable operator's subscribers. All of these TCCs at the headend station are coupled through a multiplexer to a system controller. Each TCC provides intermediate processing which converts the subscriber's telephone number into binary.

Abstract: A CATV (cable television) signal transmitting system for use with a broadcast satellite system includes a receiving stage for receiving a broadcast satellite station signal consisting of base-band video signals and a sub-channel digital audio signals PSK (phase shift keying)-modulated on sub-carriers, demodulators for deriving the video signals and digital audio signals, first modulators for modulating the main carriers of a plurality of CATV channels by the video signals, a second modulator for modulating the main carrier of a different channel by the digital audio signals in time-division manner. The mixed output signal from the first and second modulators is transmitted through a CATV transmission line. A CATV signal receiving system is also provided to produce video signals and digital audio signals which are converted into a plurality of channels of analog audio signals.

Abstract: A switching distribution apparatus including first and second distributing sections for distributing first and second reception signals to first and second plurality of lines and a plurality of switch sections for selectively delivering any of said first and second reception signals of the first and second distributing sections to a plurality of outputs in accordance with the control signals from an indoor unit.

Abstract: A portable terminal suitable for brief queries to a central database can be employed with any available telephone for communication over the public telephone network. Message characters are entered through the keyboard, stored in memory in digitally coded form, and displayed in a display window. A speaker is acoustically coupled to the telephone mouthpiece. After dial-up connection to a host, a stored message is recalled and transmitted; the stored digitally coded data is converted to a code employing unique sequential pairs of standard DTMF tones, provided by a tone generator to the speaker. The message can be compared off-line, stored, and edited using special function keys including insert and delete. Telephone numbers can be dialed through the terminal keyboard, and are transmitted in standard DTMF coding. Telephone numbers can be stored as messages, or can be embedded in text messages.

Abstract: A direct telephone dialing ordering system is disclosed wherein a calling customer can order products and/or services from a given vendor without voice interchange. The system operates in a Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) switching network which has Feature Group D services utilizing the 15 digit domestic dialing plan. The system is positioned within the LATA and is assigned a Feature Group D interexchange carrier number. An originating call utilizing the 15 digit domestic dialing plan of the Feature Group D service is directed to the system within the LATA to a point of termination as an interexchange carrier. The system is then free to utilize the remaining 10 digits of the originating call for determination of variables such as vendor, product, grade and the like designations. The Feature Group D Automatic Number Identification (ANI) for the calling customer is likewise passed on to the system for customer identification, credit verification and the like.

Abstract: In a transmission system of signals including amplitude-modulated television signals, a pilot signal of a specific amplitude is supplied at a first place in the transmission system, and at a second place in the transmission system, the pilot signal having been subjected to a cross modulation due to nonlinearity of the transmission system from the first place to the second place is extracted. A rectifier picks up an envelope of the cross modulated pilot signal. In consequence, out of the envelope, the fundamental wave component or a higher harmonic component of the horizontal scanning frequency of the transmitted television signal is extracted by using a filter of an extremely narrow band. By detecting the increase in the level of this removed signal, an increase in distortion due to an excessive level of the transmission signal which causes a problem in the transmission system is detected.

Abstract: The data input device comprises a tablet portion made of a two-dimensional position-sensitive photodetector and a planar display element laid one on the other, and a light emitting pen forming a light spot on a light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector. The locus of the movement of the light emitting pen is displayed on the surface of the planar display element at correspond positions in accordance with the output of the two-dimensional position-sensitive photodetector, and the contents of the display provided on the planar displaying element are allowed to be delivered for subsequent processings.