Abstract: An audience data rating collecting system and method which are capable of collecting television audience rating data automatically within a short period of time. A broadcasting station transmits over the air a marker signal. The marker signal is received by terminal units associated with selected subscribers' television receivers. Upon reception of the market signal, and after waiting a period of time necessary for other terminal units within the system to transmit their data back to the station, each terminal unit automatically dials a predetermined telephone number at the broadcasting station. Once the broadcasting station has had time to automatically answer, data from that terminal unit representative of the channel then being viewed is transmitted over the telephone circuit to the broadcasting station. After all terminal units have called in, the results are tabulated.

Abstract: An electronic audio signal processor especially suitable for electrical instruments such as electric guitars is provided including a controlled distortion and tone alteration portion and a reverb portion. The controlled distortion and tone alternation portion in one form comprises in cascade a compression stage which compresses the amplitude level of an inputted audio signal, a mid band pass filter, a distortion amplifier for adding controlled distortion to said signal and a complex filter having a roll-off of increased attenuation with increased frequency range in the lower and upper audio frequency ranges, and a generally flat response in the middle audio frequency range except with a dip followed by a peak in the upper portion of the mid audio frequency range.

Abstract: A modular telephone housing 12 adapted for structurally and electrically coupling to other like modular telephone housings. The housing includes two tapered ribs 60 and 62 disposed at one end thereof, and two corresponding tapered grooves 104 and 106 disposed at an opposite end thereof for mating with the tapered ribs of an adjacent modular telephone housing. A male connector 18 includes a plate 34 coupling to one end of a flat cable 16, a resilient backing strip 44 between the plate and the contact strip, and two alignment pins 46 and 48. A female connector 20 includes a plate 74 coupled to the other end of the flat cable, and two alignment slots 82 and 84.

Abstract: A filter for use in a cable television system for filtering out a given channel comprising a two pole filter, said filter including one pole which is fixed at the center frequency to be tuned out and a second variable pole responsive to an input voltage, the second pole adapted to vary in frequency about the first pole.The filter is employed in addressable control system which includes an address generator at a head end, generating address control signals for each of a plurality of remote subscribers, a modulator for modulating a carrier with the address and control signal and coupling it onto cables, circuits at receiving terminals for receiving and demodulating the modulated carrier to recover the address signals, address decoding means for each subscriber to decode the address and control signals and circuits responsive to the decoding means to select the channels which each subscriber will receive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interface apparatus between a digital computer and an analog communication medium. The interface apparatus has a telephony apparatus for transmitting or receiving the voice signals and a modem for transmitting or receiving the data signals. A switch is interposed between the telephone line and the modem and the telephony apparatus. The switch can be alternatively switched such that the telephony apparatus is connected to the telephone lines and transmits and receives voice signals and the modem is connected to receive data carrier signals that precede digital data signals and follow the digital data signals to and from the medium, or in the second position wherein the modem is connected to transmit and to receive digital data signals. The interface apparatus further has an interrupt for interrupting the operation of the computer and for causing the computer to be in communication with the modem and for switching the switch to connect the modem with the medium.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed which stores data received from a people monitoring unit which produces information relating to the number of people watching a television set and/or from a television channel detection unit of a television monitoring system. The arrangement transmits such data to a remote computer by means of a telephone line (87) of a public telephone network upon interrogation by the computer.

Abstract: A videotex system employs a subscriber unit (22) at a remote location such as a user's home. The subscriber unit (22) employs the user's telephone tone dial (26) for transmission to a communications module at a central location and uses the user's television set (24) for display of information received as frequency-shift-keying signals by the user's telephone (20). At the central location, the system employs a transmission memory (16) containing the currently desired display, and a microprocessor circuit (28) reads the contents of the transmission memory (16) to send it by FSK signals to the remote location. The information contained in the transmission memory (16) comes from a host computer, and an antiquity memory (50) having locations corresponding to those of the transmission memory (16) has its associated location reset whenever a transmission-memory location is written.

Abstract: A method for effecting the communication of digital signals over telephone lines includes the steps of generating a voltage at a first level for providing an inactive state signal directed to a plurality of slave transceiver units and generating a voltage at a second level for provding a first carrier detect signal directed to the slave units. A digitally encoded first data signal is then generated, has a peak amplitude at a third voltage level and is also directed to the slave units. In response to the first carrier detect and first data signals, a voltage will be generated at a fourth level for providing a second carrier detect signal directed to a master transceiver unit. Thereupon, a digitally encoded second data signal will be generated to have a peak amplitude at a fifth voltage level and is also directed to the master transceiver unit.

Abstract: A tap-off unit or signal transmission device for use in a cable TV system having a plurality of such tap-off units, each tap-off unit receiving cable TV signals from a feeder cable and distributing the signals to a plurality of homes. The tap-off unit has a signal coupler which facilitates removal from the tap-off unit of a circuitry unit and which minimizes the interruption of cable TV signals further down the feeder cable in the event of repair or maintenance of the circuitry unit.

Abstract: A modem for coupling a data terminal or other apparatus to a telephone line and deriving its operating power for both transmitting and receiving operation from the telephone line, and providing electrical isolation between the telephone line and the data terminal. The modem is switchable to provide orginate or answer operation in either of two operating frequency bands.

Abstract: In a cable television system in which one or more tap-off devices deliver television signals to an associated subscriber via drop cables connecting the tap-off devices at the subscribers' premises, and in which the tap-off devices receive electrical power from the subscribers via the drop cables, a power safety apparatus and method interrupts the application of power to the drop cable when the drop cable becomes cut, broken or disconnected to prevent individuals from receiving hazardous electrical shocks.

Abstract: A television channel detecting arrangement, for detecting to which channel a television set is tuned, comprises an inductive loop (14) for receiving a signal from a local oscillator (10) of the television set (12); a tuner (16); a detector (18,20) which are such that, when the tuner is tuned to the frequency of the signal from the local oscillator, a voltage is generated at the detector; and a counter (25) which addresses a store (24) which uses stored binary numbers to vary over a range the frequency to which the tuner is tuned.

Abstract: A cable television system communications apparatus comprising a transmission unit for originating various messages and message class identification signals and a receiver unit for receiving such signals and for rendering audible such messages as are authorized for that particular receiver unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an audience rating measuring system for a television and a video tape recorder and provides an audience rating measuring system which can give accurate audience data under various conditions, such as when a television and a video tape recorder are used in combination, that can not be measured by the conventional audience rating measuring systems in general use. The audience rating measuring system of the invention comprises means for video tape recorder channel discrimination, video tape recorder operation mode discrimination, and television channel discrimination.

Abstract: A data communications system provides for the transmission of television signals from a central station to a plurality of remote user stations and the transmission of security data from the user stations back to the central station. The downstream television signals and upstream security data are processed through a plurality of remote hub stations, each servicing several of the remote user terminal stations. The remote hub stations convert downstream television control data and programming signals for reception by the users serviced by that station. The remote hub station also receive security monitoring data transmitted from each user station and generate additional security data for the central station. In one embodiment, the remote hub processing station includes a plurality of converters, each transmitting downstream on a separate dedicated communication link to a remote user station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive communication system, such as an interactive cable television system (10), for providing an interactive information output over a common output channel from a plurality of remotely transmitted different information inputs (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) and, more particularly, relates to a method for expanding the interactive displayable choices for a given channel capacity whereby multiple users of a one-way television signal distribution network (60) may obtain an individualized program information content for a television programming sequence, with the quantity of available interactively selectable program information contents for the television programming sequence being greater than the quantity of available channels (300, 302, 304, 306) of contemporaneous message transmission.

Abstract: A ring-ground circuit in a telephone system comprises a control transistor that selectively receives base drive from a microprocessor and that has its emitter connected through a low voltage LED and through the series combination of the base-emitter junction of a switching transistor and its emitter resistor to ground. The LED has a sharp transition in its conduction characteristics when the voltage across it reaches a predetermined value which is a reference voltage. Conduction of the control transistor provides base drive to the switching transistor for causing collector current in the latter to initiate a ground-start condition in a relay coil that is connected to a central office battery voltage. When current in the switching transistor increases to a prescribed value, that is set by the LED reference voltage and the emitter resistor, conduction of the switching transistor is automatically controlled for limiting the maximum value of its collector current.

Abstract: A typical active impedance line feed circuit includes tip and ring amplifiers being controlled to exhibit a.c. impedance and d.c. resistance characteristics for the purpose of supplying energizing current for tip and ring leads of a two wire communication line. Protection from excessive heat generation in an instant of a ground fault on the communication line is provided by a d.c. amplifier having an input resistively connected to the tip and ring leads and an output connected via a resistive unidirectional current path to an input of the ring amplifier. A ground fault occurrence causes the resistive unidirectional current path to become conductive and reduces the current flow in the ring lead by causing the output voltage of the ring amplifier to vary in the direction of ground potential. The output of the d.c. amplifier is also useful for improving circuit tolerance of longitudinal interference.

Abstract: A prosthetic tone emitter for laryngectomy patients which in combination with natural apparatus enables comprehensible speech. Components of the tone emitter are constructed into an artificial tooth such that articulation is relatively unhindered.

Abstract: A telephone booth having the appearance of an inverted truncated pyramid, wherein one side of the pyramid enclosure permits access to the booth. Within the booth is the dialing mechanism which is indirectly connected to the dialing circuitry. Also within the booth are remote voice transmitting and receiving devices which are activated by credit cards, tokens or coins. Safe storage for the tokens is in the base of the booth. The supporting column for the booth acts as a conduit for the tokens. The improved telephone booth is virtually vandal-proof and is intended for use as part of a telephone system network.