Patents Examined by Keith E. George
  • Patent number: 5003580
    Abstract: An interface arrangement (2) comprising interface circuits (5,7) and processor (14) allows a personal computer (10) to operate in conjunction with a telephone subset (1) associated with a main switch system (9) in which the signalling systems used by the telephone subset and the computer differ. The interface arrangement allows the subset and the computer to be connected to the subsets switching system to permit at least some of the subsets signalling functions to be performed by the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Standard Telephones and Cables Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dzung M. Duong, Evan J. Stanbury
  • Patent number: 4989230
    Abstract: A cellular cordless telephone (10) operates with both a cordless base station (180) and a cellular base station (190) and cellular control terminal (196). In one embodiment (FIG. 2), a cellular cordless telephone (100) includes a cellular transceiver (120), antenna (128), keyboard (140), a display (180), handset (160), and microcomputer (130) together with a cordless transceiver (110) and antenna (118), all of which may be in a single housing. In another embodiment (FIG. 3), a cellular cordless telephone (200) includes a cellular telephone (220) and a cordless telephone transceiver (210) which may be a plugable module. Whenever cellular cordless telephone (10) is within range of cordless base station (180), telephone calls may be made over the cordless radio channel or transferred from the cellular radio channels to the cordless radio channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Gillig, Glen E. Pederson
  • Patent number: 4987589
    Abstract: Entrance telephone installation intended to be connected to a public telephone network, said installation including a number discriminator with line access and dialling facilities, addressable from an entrance telephone set for connection of a circuit to specific reply sets, said reply sets being arranged to facilitate signalling via the circuit switched through in the telephone network to accomplish door lock opening. According to the invention, a specific ID-signal is transmitted to the telephone network during a first predetermined time period after completed switching operation to a specific reply set, with simultaneous monitoring of the telephone network with regard to digits entered from called reply set transferred via the telephone network as a pulsed signal, multi frequency signal or optical signal, absence of such digit entered from the reply set during said first time period resulting in disconnection of the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Inventor: Anders E. Trell
  • Patent number: 4977449
    Abstract: A broadband (RF) system using frequency agile demodulators or frequency agile modulators for coupling video cameras at remote locations to one or more video monitors at a central location. In a first embodiment, video cameras at remote locations are provided with respective modulators for coupling the outputs of the video cameras to a broadband coaxial or fiber-optic cable which couples all of the camera outputs to the input of a frequency agile demodulator at the central location. The output of the demodulator is coupled to one or more video monitors for display of the video signals from the remote cameras. The demodulator at the central location may be set to any camera channel manually or under processor control. Each video monitor can then view the video signals from any remote video camera by selecting the appropriate channel at the demodulator at the central location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Jack B. Morgan
  • Patent number: 4965819
    Abstract: A conferencing system facilitating interactive video and audio communication between an individual (such as a criminal, defendant, or a witness in a court proceeding) at a remote station, and a group of individuals at a local station (such as a judge, defense counsel, and a prosecutor or plaintiff's counsel in a courtroom). The system preferably includes a recording unit for producing a permanent, combined video and audio conference record. Preferably, the system includes a local module, a remote module, and a control module. The local module includes a loudspeaker, and a video camera, a video monitor unit, and a microphone for each conferee. It is contemplated that the local module equipment may be disposed in a courtroom, for use by a judge, two attorneys, and a witness. The remote module includes a video camera, a video monitor unit, a microphone, and a loudspeaker. Where the remote module is intended for use by a criminal defendant in police custody (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Docu-Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Deno Kannes
  • Patent number: 4961217
    Abstract: A communication system offering specific services to specific persons bears a portable memory device with a record of personal information such as the bearer's indentification number, class of service, personal data, etc. In making a call, the bearer of the memory device puts it on a communication terminal device and the terminal device reads out the personal information, which is transferred to a data processor such as a central processor in the exchange so that a service specific to the calling person is rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Hitachi Telecom Technologied, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadahiko Akiyama
  • Patent number: 4951309
    Abstract: A modem capable of three modes of operation; a normal mode, a reduced power mode responsive to a control signal from a function controller within the modem, and a further reduced power mode responsive to a control signal from the computer. The function controller monitors activity within the modem and applies or removes power transparently as required to exit or enter the first reduced power mode. The control signal from the computer enables the modem to enter or exit the further reduced power mode, in which no modem functions are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Compag Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Allen E. Gross, Said S. Saadeh, Lee F. McCrocklin
  • Patent number: 4943994
    Abstract: A still picture picturephone communication system for transmitting and receiving a still picture over a telephone circuit including a handshaking process wherein prior to still picture transmission, identification code data indicating a function of the picturephone set is transmitted and received, and a decision is made as to whether the still picture is being transmitted or not. A designation code of a desired response waiting time within an identification code data used at the time of handshaking is formed, and the response is delayed by a period of time corresponding to the response waiting time. A still picture data is directly transmitted and received without handshaking. In addition character data including character information and the like can be transmitted and received, and by manipulating the picturephone set of one party the picturephone set of the other party can be made to transmit picture data therefrom. Furthermore, the picture sent from the called party can be transferred to a third party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignees: Luma Telecom Incorporated, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohtsuka, Yutaka Ueno, Lawrence D. Emmons, James S. Mackley
  • Patent number: 4941170
    Abstract: A facsimile transmission system is used to transmit documents over telephone lines using an electronic mail system, which may be a localized system or a distributed electronic mail system. Transmission is initiated by the sending facsimile machine transmitting a mark sense cover sheet, which has a mark sense identifier printed on it, to a facsimile controller. The controller checks for the presence of the mark sense identifier and if present, the controller reads the identifying information and destination address coded thereon. The controller then transmits the identifying information and destination address and the subsequently received document facsimile data to the electronic mail system in digital form, for retransmission back through the same or a different controller to one or more receiving facsimile machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated
    Inventor: Noel M. Herbst
  • Patent number: 4941040
    Abstract: A method of, and a system for, selectively delivering still television video with accompanying audio to home subscribers over a cable television system for advertising, promotional or educational purposes. A maximum number of home subscribers can interactively request presentations of their own choosing to be displayed on their home television sets. Only one standard television channel is required for transmission of still video with accompanying audio to serve 300 concurrent users. No equipment is required in the subscriber's home. The video is presented as still frames from one of a number of videodisc players, transmitted over one television channel during the appropriate time interval of 1/30th (or 1/25th) of a second. Such video frames, which may also contain overlaid graphics information, are uniquely addressed to a remote storage device. Unused bandwidth is used for the transmission of up to 300 discrete audio messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Cableshare, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence H. Pocock, Peter J. M. Coumans, Richard M. McNorgan, George M. Hart
  • Patent number: 4937853
    Abstract: A data transmission system for interfacing with a telephone communication line includes a bar code reader and a hand-held bar code scanning device for reading bar coded information, such as a lottery ticket number, and generating electrical signals representative thereof. The system also includes a program-storing memory and a processor for converting the electrical signals to a format recognizable by a telephone system, i.e. dial pulses or dual tone signals. A display is provided for displaying the electrical signals. A telephone network interface is employed to transmit the telephone system recognizable signals to the telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: AGT International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean D. Brule, David C. Young
  • Patent number: 4935951
    Abstract: An emergency telephone call actuated light signal is visible externally of the building includes a telephone line monitor and a microcontroller for comparing the dialed numbers with a stored emergency number. If the microcontroller detects a match, it emits an actuation signal which causes operation of a light signal visible on the exterior of the building. The microcontroller includes logic for discriminating between a stored emergency number containing a series of digits and a dialed number containing the stored number sequence as a part of greater series of digits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Ek-Ris Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Robinson, Walter V. Ciecierski
  • Patent number: 4935953
    Abstract: A system for full motion videoconferencing. The total video image space is broken down into regions of such position and size relative to the space that the image data in predetermined sections of the regions is overlapped during the cyclic transmission thereof. The reception and display of the superimposed regions provides a significant increase in the perceived transmission rate in the overlapped sections, rendering those sections suitable for full motion effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur Appel, Miriam Zohar
  • Patent number: 4932047
    Abstract: An improved video phone transmits a source image over a standard telephone line in conjunction with voice signals. The unique initialization protocol provides a hardware preamble for synchronizing a receiver clock, a software preamble for identifying the video image and disabling the audio, automatic gain control adjustment data and amplitude calibration data. The audio portion is disabled by coupling a capacitor across the telephone to effectively short the telephone. The telephone is placed across a bridge circuit which is provided with switches to balance the bridge in both the telephone and video modes. The transmitted and received signals pass through the same delay equalization circuit, so that half the equalization is done before transmission, with the remaining half being done after reception. Input and output selectors allow the same circuit to be used. The digital signals are level shifted up prior to being converted into analog, and then are shifted down again to reduce the effects of DC offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Luma Telecom, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Emmons, James S. Mackley, David H. Stokes, Rudolph S. Stefenel, William E. Brisko, Jr., Michael A. Cooper-Hart
  • Patent number: 4931865
    Abstract: This invention discloses apparatus and methods for monitoring the television viewing acts of individuals by transmitting a signal toward the individual and detecting the reflection of the signal from the individual's eyes to determine the time intervals and total times the individual is viewing the television. This viewing information is then correlated with the program information from the television. The apparatus and method of this invention can be used to identify each individual viewing the television and track and correlate the viewing information for each individual. The signals reflected from each individual's eyes can also be used to determine changes in blink rate and/or pupil dilation in order to determine the emotional response of each individual to the program being viewed. This invention also provides a system for monitoring the times at which particular programs are viewed by particular individuals even when the individual records the program on a VCR and views the program at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Sebastiano Scarampi
  • Patent number: 4930011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying predetermined individual members of a television viewing audience/marketing group in a plurality of monitored areas. A plurality of predetermined identification signals are stored each corresponding to one of the predetermined individual members. A transmitter device for transmitting a unique predetermined identification signal is associated with each of the predetermined individual members. A receiver device in each of the plurality of monitored areas receives the transmitted predetermined identification signals and applies the received signals to an associated memory device used for storing the received individual member signals. A central processor periodically retrieves the stored individual member signals from each memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: A. C. Nielsen Company
    Inventor: David A. Kiewit
  • Patent number: 4928301
    Abstract: A teleconferencing terminal which enables teleconference participants to communicate with eye contact is disclosed. The terminal alternates rapidly between an image capture mode and an image display mode. Illustratively, during operation in the image capture mode a front surface screen is made transparent and a video camera acquires a head-on image of a teleconference participant. During operation in the image display mode, the front surface screen is made translucent for display of a video image via rear projection. Preferably, operation in the image capture mode takes place during the vertical retrace interval of the image to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Bell Communications Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Lanny S. Smoot
  • Patent number: 4928168
    Abstract: In a closed circuit television system having a central facility connected to a plurality of terminals, it is possible to display billing data showing charges for hotel accommodations, pay television reception, equipment use, etc., at the terminals. The computer in the central facility stores data corresponding to the charges owed by a customer at one of the terminals. When a customer wishes to see his bill, he depresses a button at his terminal. The appropriate charges are retrieved from the computer and displayed at the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Iwashita
  • Patent number: 4928305
    Abstract: An improvement is made in an intelligent modem system which can operate selectively either in a transparent mode in which a modem circuit of the system is placed in a data communication relationship with an information processing terminal while the modem circuit is connected with a public communication line, or in an escape mode in which the modem circuit of the system is placed out of the data communication relationship from the information processing terminal to permit altering of the status of the modem circuit while the modem circuit is connected with a public communication line, by using a switch element for selectively placing the modem circuit of the system in a data communication relationship, with the information processing terminal, when a manual reception and/or transmission mode is selected, also for effecting a change-over between the transparent mode and the escape mode, when an automatic reception and/or transmission mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Company
    Inventor: Eiichi Yui
  • Patent number: RE33369
    Abstract: A remote control device using a telephone circuit of an electric apparatus to remote-control the electric apparatus from a remote location. The electric apparatus is held operative by a loop means for automatically engaging a telephone set with the telephone circuit and a means for enabling the electric apparatus (VTR) when a specific signal or a password is supplied thereto. A remote control signal is supplied to operate means (IC-2) for selecting a desired channel of channels (1CH-12CH) and means (IC-3, 8) for presetting an operation time interval of the electric apparatus, so that the desired channel of the electric apparatus can be selected and the operation time interval can be preset from the remote location. Furthermore, the start time of the electric apparatus can be preset by the remote control signal from the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Hashimoto Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Hashimoto