Abstract: A multiple program input audio system including a plurality of input channels each adapted to provide an output program signal. Each channel comprises an actuator which compares a rectified program signal with a reference signal and generates an actuator output signal when the rectified signal is greater than the reference signal. A zero crossing detector also receives the program signal and generates an initiator pulse when the voltage of the program signal is zero. A master control switch receives the actuator output signal and generates a first master control output signal when pulsed by the initiator pulse and generates a second master control output signal when no signal is received from the actuator. A program switch receives the program signal and in response to the first master control output signal applies the program signal to an audio program buss where the program signals from all the channels are summed and applied to a digital attenuator.

Abstract: An exchange center is connected to telephone lines and a telephone and a data transmitter as terminal equipment are connected to the telephone lines. The data transmitter is actuated depending upon the polarity of DC voltage applied to the telephone lines. The telephone line is potentially opened by detecting the current of the telephone during the operation of the data transmitter. The impedance of the telephone line during the opening state is detected whereby the operation of the data transmitter is stopped by inverting the DC voltage applied to the telephone line and the telephone is predominantly communicated through the exchange center over the data transmitter.

Abstract: In a multifrequency generator providing tone signaling for a telephone, the common switching functions are performed by solid state switching circuitry (1200). Improved signal transfer between the telephone line and transmit and receive transducer of the telephone is provided by arranging the solid-state transmit and receive switches (1201, 1401) in a gain configuration to increase the level of the speech signal. The tone signals are digitally synthesized and use an integrated R-C oscillator (600) as a reference. Button down and button up debouncing of a contact closure signal from a single contact per button keypad is provided.

Abstract: An annunciator is disclosed which has an improved charging circuit for storing the energy of a ring signal received via an improved Schottky diode bridge rectifier, and an oscillator-driven variable divider which actuates an audible output device when the stored charge exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: In a subscriber telephone set, an active speech network provides a sidetone signal and for equalization of the transmit and receive signals at the tip and ring line port and also maintains the dc voltage at a substantially constant level at this port. The network is compatible with conventional telephone sets and operation on long loops in parallel with such sets is provided for. Internal circuitry (320) within the network check both loop current and tip-to-ring voltage to ensure that both are of a magnitude sufficient for a tone signaling dial (301) to properly generate tone signals before enabling the dial.

Abstract: A multiple services system using telephone lines to supply various data services to subscribers, including alarm surveillance, meter reading, energy management and digital data service, provides a multi-conductor subscriber bus at the subscriber premises for selective connection of plural data service terminals to the system and a switching communication controller at the central office which acts as a concentrator for the transmission of alarm, meter reading and control signals between the subscriber data system and a central control system, while acting as a switch for the connection of the subscriber data system to a data service system for transmission to the subscriber of digital video display data on request. The transmission over the telephone lines is transparent to normal telephone service and all communications within the system, including those on the subscriber bus, are effected in accordance with a predetermined link control protocol.

Abstract: A subscriber data carrier system for simultaneously carrying both base band telephone signals and full duplex digital data transmissions on a single pair of nonloaded telephone wires is disclosed. That is, the system provides for simultaneous conventional telephone signaling and audio communication and full duplex digital data communication between a pair of subscribers, each connected to the same main distribution frame of a central office by a single pair of nonloaded telephone wires. The system includes a modem (21) located at each subscriber's premises. The modems are connected to the subscriber's telephone (23) and digital data terminal (25). The modems include data transmitters (47) and receivers (49) that convert digital data from binary form into FSK form for transmission and from FSK form into binary form upon reception.

Abstract: A telephone group listening system is one in which one member of an assembled group has a telephone for communication with a remote party while the other members may only listen to the communication through the agency of a loudspeaker. The system is subject to the Larsen effect on call answering or clear down if the telephone handset is normally sited close to the loudspeaker. This effect is overcome by including a proximity switch in the loudspeaker circuit, the switch being triggered by a change in the level of coupling of a capacitively or inductively coupled circuit, the coupling being dependent on the closeness of the speaker's body to the switch or on the separation of the handset and the loudspeaker.

Abstract: An interface unit inserted between a subscriber line of a telecommunication system and a generator of dial pulses, including a signal converter associated with a pushbutton selector and a memory for the temporary storage of selected digits, comprises a rectifier bridge in series with an impedance network which includes a shunt branch with two complementary transistors interconnected in a positive-feedback circuit and a low-threshold Zener diode in series with one of these transistors across which a reduced supply voltage for the pulse generator remains available when the shunt branch becomes conductive with saturation of the transistors upon a closure of the subscriber's hook switch. An enabling signal for the pulse generator is emitted from the shunt branch upon such conduction. An ancillary transistor, with an input connection across a small series resistor of the network, and a further Zener diode in parallel with the shunt path protect the components thereof against overcurrents and overvoltages.

Abstract: A digital multi-frequency receiver for the use in an electronic telephone exchange system for detecting MF signals (700,900, 1100, 1300, 1500 and 1700 Hz) in the CCITT No. 5 system. The digital multi-frequency receiver comprises a recursive digital filter for detecting each of the MF signals on a time divisional basis, an absolute value circuit for providing the absolute value of the output of the recursive digital filter, a comparator for comparing the output of the absolute value circuit with a variable threshold to provide the detected MF signal information, and a circuit for providing the variable threshold by selecting the maximum value from among, (i) the predetermined fixed value, (ii) the product of the value .alpha. which is less than but close to 1 and the maximum value of the variable threshold circuit in a preceding frame, and (iii) the maximum value of the output of the absolute value circuit in a present frame.

Abstract: A ringer circuit for a telephone is disclosed which is equipped with a transformer, having its primary winding connected to the telephone line through hook-switches. The secondary winding of the transformer is connected to a rectifying circuit so that it may convert the high voltage and low current of the ringer signal received into a secondary ringer signal having high current and low voltage. This secondary ringer signal is rectified and fed to an oscillator which drives a sound generator to provide a call signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning the hearing of a patient is disclosed. A signal level detector establishes whether an incoming audio signal is above or below a threshold level to gate the audio signal to one or other of two parallel channels. The first channel has a frequency response curve in which high frequencies are suppressed and thus is the channel used when the audio signal is below the threshold. The other channel has a frequency response curve in which low frequencies are suppressed and this is the channel used when the audio signal exceeds the threshold. Two parallel output stages are provided, one including an electromechanical vibrator which is placed on the patient's skull and the other including earphones worn by the patient.

Abstract: A microphone amplifier in a telephone station furnished with current from the telephone network. When a capacitive degenerative feedback is used in the amplifier a certain time has to pass after applying the supply voltage before the operating point of the amplifier is reached because of the charging time of the capacitor. The switching of the supply voltage occurs at the dialing operation at each digit of a dial number since during the transmission period of a digit the handset including the microphone is switched off the subscriber line which carries the current usd for supplying the amplifier with energy. By the use of a special circuit the charging time of the capacitor is shortened drastically.

Abstract: An acoustic coupling system for use with an audio entertainment installation aboard a commercial transportation vehicle, such as a commercial passenger aircraft, is disclosed. The system includes a plug-in terminal for acoustically coupling a pair of earphone transducers to the conventional acoustic piping outlets located at a passenger seat. A small, pocket-size housing encloses an amplifier connected to the summed outputs of the transducers. The amplifier output is variable for volume control and may be fed either to a small speaker also mounted in the housing or to a headphone set so that a passenger may listen to the audio entertainment without the need to use the acoustic headset normally provided by the commercial carrier. An alternate embodiment of the acoustic coupling system of the invention provides for two-channel stereophonic listening.

Abstract: Sound reproduction in a noisy environment may be improved by detecting the noise level and deriving a control signal therefrom. The control signal may control the gain and frequency response of the reproduction amplifier by controlling an electronic potentiometer which provides a control function which varies from a signal of high reproduction quality towards a signal which has been subjected to contrast compression and which exhibits a roll-off towards the bass frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively granting priority use of telephone lines to a telephone or data transmitter each connected via the telephone lines to an exchange center. Access of the data transmitted to the exchange center is typically enabled by application of DC voltage of a predetermined polarity to the telephone lines by a control circuit. A current detection circuit is provided in series with the telephone for detecting when the telephone lines are providing current to the telephone during a time when the date transmitter is transmitting or receiving data via the telephone lines. In the event that the current detection circuit detects a current component on the telephone lines to the telephone, application of power to the data transmitter is stopped and priority use of the telephone lines is granted to the telephone.

Abstract: A volume control apparatus wherein a master volume control resistor is controlled by a motor and a control circuit is provided for the motor which includes a presettable-variable resistor and a slave-variable resistor which is driven by the output shaft of the motor. A first comparator is connected to the presettable-variable resistor and to the slave-variable resistor which are in turn connected across suitable supply voltages and depending upon the relative voltages across these resistors a motor control discriminator circuit operates the motor in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction to vary the master volume control and the slave-variable resistor until the slave-variable resistor is substantially equal to the presettable-variable resistor. When the resistance of the slave-variable resistor approaches the presettable-variable resistor the output of the master volume control is connected to an output speaker by a relay circuit.

Abstract: First syllable clipping typically associated with simple control circuits in hands free telephony, is substantially reduced by using a voice switch with non-linear response characteristics. The voice switch includes field effect devices in transmit and receive variolossers for providing hands free operation in communication apparatus. The field effect devices are non-linear in their response to a control voltage, and are thus controllable to provide rapid switching from an idle mode of operation, to an opposite mode of operation. The control circuit generates a control signal for operating the voice switch in response to a.c. signals in a microphone circuit connected with a transmit path and in response to a.c. signals in a loudspeaker circuit connected with a receive path.

Abstract: A three-terminal power supply circuit for telephone set has an input terminal, an output terminal and a common terminal. The input terminal receives a DC voltage superposed with a sending or receiving signal transmitted to or from a telephone station through a subscriber line. The output terminal delivers DC power to a telephone circuit. Between the input and output terminals a constant current circuit and a discharge protection circuit are connected to each other in series. Between the output terminal and the common terminal a constant voltage circuit is connected. Between the input terminal and the common terminal an electronic switch is connected through the constant current circuit. The electronic switch is closed only when an instantaneous voltage applied between the input terminal and the common terminal is lowered to a predetermined value or a lower value. When it is closed, the electronic switch causes a short circuit in the constant voltage circuit through discharge protection circuit.

Abstract: A speech control circuit is disclosed for use in a loudspeaker telephone or a handsfree telephone having a microphone and a speaker, and provides the correct switching of the transmission mode and the reception mode in spite of acoustic coupling between the speaker and the microphone. The disclosed circuit reduces errors in the switching operation and helps to prevent the problem of "noise block".