Abstract: A telephone interrupter for use in a telephone system having low priority and high priority telephone equipment sharing a common telephone line. The low priority equipment is connected to the line by way of a bilateral switch. Sensing circuitry is provided for sensing when the high priority telephone equipment is in use and for causing the bilateral switch to automatically disconnect the low priority equipment from the line. When the sensing circuitry detects that the high priority equipment is no longer using the telephone line, the low priority equipment is automatically reconnected to the line.

Abstract: A communications unit for an executive workstation which provides a switching arrangement for interconnecting voice and data lines with a computer and a telephone instrument. The communications unit contains a microcomputer with memory which provides connection patterns and number directory for quick access to individuals and data services required by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the communications unit is configured as a printed circuit board that may be plugged into a desktop computer for direct access to the computer's keyboard and CRT monitor so that the user may use the keyboard and the monitor for all communications. The communications unit also is capable of connecting to a keysystem.

Abstract: A method and device for remotely identifying TV receivers tuned to a certain TV channel and displaying the video signal thereof. An identification signal is introduced in the television signal of the TV channel at its source before its transmission towards the TV receivers. The nature of the identification signal as well as the way of introducing it in the television signal are both selected so that this identification signal is irradiated in the air at the receivers end when these receivers display the video signal of the concerned channel, due to the phenomenom of cathode--ray--tube radiation caused by the presence of high voltages modulated by the luminance information at the luminance component frequencies. Detection of the irradiated identification signal in the proximity of one receiver indicates that it is tuned to the channel in question and displays the video signal thereof.

Abstract: An adapter for metering tv viewing in homes having video cassette recorders ("VCR's"). The adapter disables antenna (cable) input to the VCR except when in the record mode. Record mode is detected by a probe which detects the 70 MHz erase signal of the erase heads. When in record mode, antenna input to the VCR is enabled and a tv meter determines channel tuning. A bandpass filter on the VCR video output restricts the tv's ability to tube channels other than the VCR output. If the tv is tuned to the VCR output channel, the viewer is monitoring the program being recorded or watching a prerecorded tape. Otherwise, he is tuning through the normal antenna (cable) input and a meter determines the tv's channel tuning.

Abstract: The electronic digitally operated device is for releasably storing an article which is dispensible to a location accessible to a user having been provided with a changeable predetermined code. The device has a tamper resistent article storage structure that is accessible to the proprietor of the device. An article release mechanism communicates to an externally accessible location and is located in the article storage structure. A code receiving mechanism having a changeable code setting portion is provided for a proprietor to enter a predetermined code. A code input portion is located at an externally accessible location for input of the predetermined code by a user, and a signal output portion is in communication with the article release mechanism. A power source is provided in communication with the code receiving mechanism to activate the article release mechanism to release the stored article to a user at the externally accessible location.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intercom system for communication between persons on opposite sides of an entry door or the like. On a first embodiment the intercom device is energized by the person on the exterior of the door when a combined power and door buzzer or bell switch is depressed. When energized, voice communication can be established by the combined speaker, microphone and amplifying devices. A sound activated switch positioned on the interior side of the entry door allows hands free communication between the persons on the opposite sides of the door. A timer terminates the system power after a predetermined time span. In a second embodiment, a pair of radio frequency transceivers are employed with the intercom device to allow communication by the person on the interior side of the door who is located remote from the door.

Abstract: A CATV decoder for receipt of television stereo audio includes a shunt path having a 4.5 MHz filter and amplifier for translating the 4.5 MHz audio signal to a modulator thus bypassing the normal audio baseband detector and 4.5 MHz oscillator circuit. A switch acts through an OR gate for selectively enabling the shunt path and normal audio path. Control from the cable head end is provided by a signal to the OR gate for returning operation to the normal audio path if reception is not authorized. In a similar manner, a remote audio mute signal may be supplied to the OR gate by the viewer.

Abstract: A preprogrammed over-the-air marketing research system includes transmission facilities for delivering a regularly scheduled television signal and a low power, microwave transmitter or satellite transponder for delivering a special over-the-air television signal, including substitute programming, to cooperating households. Each household has an antenna for receiving the special television signal, a down converter and a television control unit that includes a small household stored program computer.

Abstract: In an electronic audio signal processor suitable for electrical instruments such as electrical guitars, there is provided an improved pre-amplifier and compressor circuit which compresses the amplitude level of an inputted audio signal so as to provide lower noise better weak note recovery and improved high end boost, for low volume signals when the output thereof is fed through a distortion amplifier. The compressor circuit includes an op amp and feedback FET transistor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing secure access to a restricted access device, associated with a telephone answering unit at a first location from a second location across a telephone system. The method comprises the steps of at the first location, automatically responding to a telephone call to the first location from the second location to automatically generate and deliver a request signal requiring a coded response to the second location across the telephone system, at the second location, automatically responding to the request signal to automatically generate and deliver a coded transmit signal to the first location across the telephone system, and, at the first location, automatically responding to the coded transmit signal to automatically establish communication connection between the first and second locations across the telephone system.

Abstract: A meter for passively logging the presence of TV viewers including circuitry for disabling the audio of a TV set, a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the audio to a plurality of headphones, a circuit responsive to the headphones presence upon the head of a viewer for transmitting a headphone ID signal to a monitor, a receiver in the monitor for logging the fact that particular headphones are activated, and a time of day clock for logging the period of time particular headphones are activated.

Abstract: An improved telephone bridge apparatus of the type in which a plurality of remote stations communicate with a local station over a plurality of phone lines, wherein each of the plurality of phone lines is assigned to a different one of the plurality of remote stations. Each phone line is connected to an input channel, and each input channel is summed at a summing point, and the collective signal is supplied to a modem. Each phone line is connected to an output channel, each output channel receiving the same broadcast message from the modem. The modem, in turn, is connected to a controller, which communicates with the local station and which polls the remote stations according to a predetermined priority. The improvement includes monitoring means for measuring the signal levels being transmitted along each input channel, and signal level modifying means positioned in the signal paths of each input channel for modifying the level of the signal being transmitted thereto.

Abstract: In a satellite communications network wherein primary video signals containing address and command data pulses in the vertical blanking intervals are transmitted to a plurality of local television subscriber systems, each local system is provided with decoder/controller/switcher apparatus to extract the data from the signals and effect control of the programming provided to the local subscribers in response to the data.

Abstract: Recording apparatus which may be in the form of a telephone answering machine which responds to ring signals received over a telephone line to answer a call and proceed through its normal answer sequence. A modem is connected to the apparatus, and if at any time during the answer sequence a data signal carrier is detected by the modem indicating the presence of data signals, a control signal is introduced to the apparatus to disable the internal VOX circuitry which does not respond to data signals, so as to enable the apparatus to continue to record the data signals for so long as the data signal carrier is detected. When the data signal carrier is no longer detected, the apparatus switches back to its normal mode.

Abstract: A system which detects the operation of a video tape recorder to obtain data related to the operation of the video tape recorder. The system is also capable of determining the dubbing condition of the video tape recorder over the recording of an ordinary broadcast. The system further determines the receiving channel of the video tape recorder or the television set by directly comparing video signals.

Abstract: Stereo audio signals are transmitted over optical fibres in a cable TV system in which stereo radio signals are received and demodulated to produce respective stereo multiplex signals. These stereo multiplex signals are then sampled, digitized and combined to produce a digital multiplex. The digital multiplex is carried over an optical fibre by first modulating the frequency of a video sub-carrier which in turn modulates the intensity of light emitted by a light source. At a switching point stereo multiplex signals are regenerated which modulate FM carriers having substantially the same frequency as the original radio signals.

Abstract: Pocket sized telephone line data communication devices which include acoustic coupling capabilities are disclosed. The couplers have a primary body member housing a microphone (or speaker) adjacent one face surface thereof for disposition flat against the ear piece (or microphone) of a conventional telephone handset. A flexible slide structure having a speaker (or microphone) therein is coupled to the body member and is slideable with respect thereto to extend outward to cover the microphone (or earpiece) of the handset, the flexibility of the flexible member together with the slide allowing varying amounts of extension and angularity between the flexible member and the body to accommodate handsets of different spans between and angularity of the earpiece and mouthpiece thereof. With the flexible member at its extreme retracted position, the entire assembly is quite small, readily fitting within a man's shirt pocket. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A subscriber television set terminal is linked to a distribution station receiving M television channels in a videocommunication network. The distribution station comprises as many individual channel selectors as there are television channels. A television channel is selected from a terminal by a digital video switching matrix that, for each channel address transmitted in a backward line of a terminal connecting line, connects the addressed channel selector to a forward line in the connecting line.

Abstract: A constant impedance (Z) bandswitched input filter for use in a wideband signal receiver includes a low pass filter, a high pass filter and a bandpass filter for reducing intermodulation distortion as well as for providing a flat input impedance characteristic. The bandpass filter resonates at the crossover frequency between the low and high pass filters for minimizing insertion loss while maintaining a constant termination impedance across the entire input signal bandwidth to reduce the input standing wave ratio (VSWR). Switching means are provided for coupling the high and low pass filters as well as the bandpass filter in circuit depending upon the frequency band tuned to. The constant Z bandswitched input filter is particularly adapted for use in a wide band cable television (CATV) system for substantially reducing intermodulation distortion and signal reflections arising from impedance mismatches, but has application in any cable operated multichannel communications system.

Abstract: A cable television system capable of decoding signals encoded in two different formats, A and B. Format A is identified by digital data on horizontal lines 10-13 in the vertical blanking interval and format B by digital data on horizontal lines 14-17 in the vertical blanking interval. Logic circuitry receives the vertical blanking interval data and supplies one pulse marking the beginning of the vertical blanking interval and an identifier pulse derived from digital data on horizontal lines 13 or 17. A format mode control switch includes a monostable timing circuit producing an output responsive to the vertical blanking interval pulse for a period terminating at approximately horizontal line 14. The timing circuit output is supplied along with the identifier pulse to the inputs of a flipflop for determining which of the decoders A and B is to be energized.