Abstract: A voice-switched telephone circuit with center idle state improves bi-dirional gain control in loudspeaking telephones and thereby enhances the natural quality of interactive conversation. The voice-switched telephone includes: a transmit channel having a microphone and a three-state amplifier; a receiver channel having a three-state amplifier and a loudspeaker; and a hybrid circuit interconnecting the transmit and receive channels to a two-wire telephone line. The present invention is characterized by independent signal level detecting circuits for the transmit and receive channels. When the magnitude of the signal energy in the transmit channel exceeds a predetermined threshold, the transmit channel amplification is increased and the receive channel amplification is decreased by fixed equal amounts.

Abstract: Aircraft communications apparatus includes a permanent communications system, a temporary communications system and an interface coupler connecting the permanent and temporary communications systems. The coupler consists of a plurality of opto-isolator circuits each of which couples signals between one of the permanent communications and one of the temporary communications circuits thereby reducing the transmission of noise between the circuits. The coupler further includes a plurality of normally-closed bypass relays each connected in parallel with one of the opto-isolator circuits which are controlled by manually-operated switches to bypass the opto-isolator circuits in the event of a malfunction.

Abstract: Image sensors comprising an alternating array of two or more sets of photoelectric devices provide enhanced detail and reproduction of intermediate illuminances. The sets of photoelectric devices are selected such that each set produces a different level of output in response to the same level of illuminance.

Abstract: A sound-wave receiving applicance comprises a resonance panel and a crystal type piezoelectric microphone responsive to oscillations generated by the soundwaves, said microphone being adapted for connection to an amplifier. The crystal of the microphone is subjected, between two pole members, to a mechanical initial pressure to increase the pressure sensitivity of the microphone relative to the resonance panel. The receiving applicance preferably has means for manual adjustment of the initial pressure which is absorbed by the resonance panel via one pole member. The resonance panel of the receiving appliance preferably is made of a material, such as a cellular plastic, having a higher porosity and a lower specific gravity than ordinary wood.

Abstract: A control apparatus for remotely controlling the operation of a telephone hand set when a hand set is remotely located from its associated base. The apparatus includes a housing having first and second connectors mounted thereon. The connectors respectively receive mating plug and are insertable into the hand set connector to connect the housing between the hand set/receiver cord and the plug in connector in the telephone hand set. A switch is mounted on the housing and includes a switchable contact connected in the ringing circuit of the telephone network for opening and closing the circuit upon each depression of the switch. In another embodiment, the switch is mounted directly in the telephone hand set.

Abstract: A lock-releasing apparatus for use in a telepone set, having a lock-releasing button (61) for a locking mechanism which locks a handset (41) stationarily to a cradle (42). The lock releasing button also actuates a muting switch (71).

Abstract: A microphone holder for surveillance work and adapted to support a microphone in a concealed position when the holder is taped to the upper torso of a surveillance agent and to avoid clothing rustle and bulges resulting from the normal wear of the holder. The holder is of a flexible rubber material capable of moving with the wearer to permit comfortable use and avoid detection by persons under surveillance. The holder has an upper surface of a generally convex shape and a lower surface which is nearly flat but slightly concave. The upper surface is provided with a recess for the retention of a small microphone that can be un-encased and recessed below the upper surface to avoid clothing rustle. Microphone leads are kept below the upper surface in a groove to further avoid a detectable impression through the clothing of a wearer. Recording means which may include transmitting means is typically located elsewhere on the wearer.

Abstract: A recreational cooler and speaker system includes an audio signal input terminal, such as an audio jack, on an outer wall of the cooler for driving speaker elements mounted to the cooler enclosure through an electrical path within the enclosure walls.

Abstract: Nonuniformities in the pixel of a CCD are corrected by storing a correction value for every pixel of the CCD. The pixel values from the CCD are transferred to a multiplier. The correction values are also transferred to the multiplier in synchronization with the transfer of the pixel values. The correction values and the pixel values are multiplied to produce a corrected pixel value for every pixel of the CCD. The corrected pixel values are transferred to an image processor for appropriate data processing.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of setting-up and taking-down connections for voice and data calls in a burst switching communications system having distributed-control means coupled with ports of the system. In preferred embodiments, the distributed-control means include port processors serving one or both parties of the call; port processors and call processors serving one or both parties; and port processors, call processors, and administrative processors serving one or both parties. In a burst-switching communications system, control is implemented through control bursts sent through the system between control processors.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor has an electrically floating carrier detecting electrode formed on a substrate, into which the signal carriers are transmitted, a sense amplifier circuit detecting the variation in a voltage of the electrode at the time of transferring the carriers, and a resetting electrode for resetting the potential of the electrode to a predetermined potential at every read-out period of the picture element section. A circuit arrangement for removing noise is provided to have two switches which switch to alternatively become conductive in response to control pulse signals. The first switch becomes conductive during a first period within one picture element period. During the first period the CCD output signal contains an effective image signal component.

Abstract: A self-contained, pre-pay coin operated telephone wherein when the user removes a handset from a switchhook, a local dial tone is generated, prompting the user to enter a telephone number of a called party. Once the first digit of that telephone number has been entered, the locally generated dial tone is removed and the user completes the entry of the telephone number. Once the proper coin has been deposited, the internal computer causes the telephone to couple itself to a central office. The telephone number entered by the user is then sent to the central office under control of the internal computer. During this time, the microphone in the handset is muted to disable communication. Once the user hears the called party answering, then the user must actuate a push-to-talk switch to indicate to the computer that the party has answered. The user is then allowed to speak to the called party and deposited coins are retained at the termination of the call.

Abstract: An electroacoustic converter with a closed-off resonance chamber, e.g. a microphone, including frame (1) carrying an electrode (2) and a diaphragm (3) connected by a connecting member (5) to an amplifier. A band (17) of plastically deformable material is sealingly attached to the frame via a weld joint (15) for providing good bass reproduction. The sensitivity of the microphone, which depends on the volume of the resonance chamber, is adjusted to the desired value by forming a depression (16) in the band. In production, the frames (1) are attached to the band (17) and are conveyed thereby between different operation stations. Sensitivity is measured by a measuring apparatus (20) and a loudspeaker (18) and is adjusted by a tool (19).

Abstract: A method of calibrating a video system, which includes a video camera hav a lens for viewing a scene and a video recorder for recording the scene on video tape, to determine both vertical and horizontal angular dimensions of the scene. The video camera lens is focused for infinity and an image of an illuminated reticle pattern of known angular shape and size formed at infinity is projected into the video camera lens and recorded on the video tape by the video recorder. The optical device used to project the reticle pattern image is similar to known projection systems of certain types of gunsights.

Abstract: A system for controlling the initiation of voting telephone calls by controlling character generators at a group of affiliated television broadcast stations through a control center which receives real-time feedback of telephone voting traffic data from polling terminals at telephone central offices and utilizes this information to regulate visual stimuli broadcast by the television station. The control center initiates polling traffic by causing associated character generators at the affiliate transmitter to produce the desired message displays across the TV screen. The control center monitors the polling call traffic at each central office until it determines that the traffic being generated has reached a level which is not within the traffic-handling capabilities of that particular central office switching machines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for reading a matrix of photosensitive detectors by line transfer with feedback, wherein means provide feedback of a part of the video signal from a line of the matrix which is read to a stage for series injection of a drive charge at the input of a register providing reading successively of each line of detectors of the matrix. Thus the value of the drive charge is modulated which is intended to be added to the video signal of the line of the matrix which will then be read, such modulation being directly proportional to the video signal of the line which is read and dependent on the transfer inefficiency of the device.

Abstract: A compact video camera which is operable at variable shutter speeds to capture high speed events which may be recorded and played back in slow motion for scene analysis. The video camera includes an image sensor, a variable diaphragm and a variable speed shutter. The variable diaphragm and variable speed shutter are controlled automatically to maintain constant the peak to peak signal level of the video signal produced by the image sensor so that the highest shutter speed is always maintained as scene brightness changes.

Abstract: A voice switched gain system is disclosed for loudspeaking telephone and hearing aid applications involving electret microphones. A voice switched gain circuit comprises an audio pre-conditioning circuit for providing a conditioned audio input referenced to an unconditioned audio input to a compandor circuit. A linear gain level reference generator circuit generates a level for comparison with the audio input level. A decision circuit then controls the compandor operation based on the result of the comparison. The decision circuit either maintains the audio output of the compandor in a compressed state or expands the audio input signal to a higher level expanded state for transmission. Two such circuits are provided in a loudspeaking telephone system, one circuit for maintaining a preemptive near end control through appropriate timing of the dual decision process. Far end control is provided by the other voice switched gain circuit.

Abstract: A compact video camera which is operable at continuously variable shutter speeds to capture high speed events which may be recorded and played back in slow motion for scene analysis. The video camera includes an image sensor, a zoom lens, and a rotating shutter which is continuously adjustable to different shutter speeds. The camera components are dimensioned and configured in a compact design for easy-to-use hand-held operation. The shutter includes a pair of rotating shutter discs having openings which are selectively adjustable relative to each other to vary the interval during which the imager sensor is exposed to a scene projected onto it by the zoom lens. The shutter discs are mounted on a pair of spaced, hollow shafts. Adjustment of the relative rotational position of the two discs to control the size of the relative shutter opening is effected by a push rod linked to and slidably mounted within the hollow shafts.

Abstract: A microphone apparatus includes an array of equally spaced microphones divided into a center subarray and a pair of side subarrays located one on each side of the center subarray. A first weighting network having a plurality of weighting factors impresses a first weighting function on signals from the center subarray. Second and third weighting networks each having a plurality of weighting factors impress second and third weighting functions respectively on signals from the side subarrays. The first, second and third weighting functions correspond respectively to center and side portions of a total function. Signals from the first weighting network are summed in a first adder, signals from the second and third weighting networks being summed in a second adder and cmbined with the output of the first adder in a third adder to produce an output signal.