Abstract: A telephone intercom device is provided for use in a telephone system. The telephone system includes a plurality of telephones interconnected to one another via first and second pairs of conductors, the first pair of conductors also being coupled to an external telephone line. Each of the telephones includes a hook switch associated therewith that is operable to enable the telephone. The intercom device includes a connector for receiving the conductors of the telephone that extend from the hook switch. A pair of telephone call conductors are provided for connecting at one end to the first pair of conductors. A pair of intercom call conductors are also provided for connecting at one end to the second pair of conductors. A mode selection switch is connected at one end to the connector and is operable between first and second positions to connect the conductors extending from the telephone hook switch to one of the telephone call and intercom call conductors.

Abstract: A supervised, interactive alarm reporting system includes a local terminal comprised of a supervised derived channel communicator, and a one-way radio communicator (preferably via the cellular telephone network), which are connected by a control unit which provides for interactive operation of the derived channel unit and the radio transmitter according to alarm conditions which may arise at the premises, and the existing condition of the equipment comprising the local terminal unit. The local terminal unit is capable of communicating with a central monitoring facility, or mobile units (patrol vehicles or service vehicles) associated with the central monitoring facility, for enhanced security of the monitored premises. Also an alarm reporting system for a mobile site including a local terminal which communicates with a monitoring facility (fixed or mobile) via the cellular telephone network.

Abstract: An improved V.22 bis 2400 bits per second (bps) handshake sequence detector. An incoming phase keyed (PSK) handshake sequence is autocorrelated using a frequency shift keyed (FSK) receiver (101). The autocorrelated signal is then filtered by a low pass filter (106). The autocorrelated, low pass filtered signal is then alternately fed, at a 1200 Hz rate, to two detectors (114,116). Each of the detectors (114,116) looks for one half of the handshake sequence. The output of each detector (114,116) is provided to an OR-gate (122). The 2400 bps handshake sequence is declared to be detected when either one or both of the detectors (114,116) detects its corresponding portion of the sequence.

Abstract: A computerized system (10) and method for collecting input information from a person connected by telephone (14) to the computerized system (10). The system (10) calls up predetermined audio information to establish a dialogue with the person. An operator (62) dynamically reviews the ongoing dialogues and can modify the set of audio information being used. The system (10) analyzes the correctness of the person's input information and can request correction of the information or disconnect the person if a predetermined weighted error count is also exceeded. The person's input information also provides important sales information such as the relationship between the number of sales and the degree of operator involvement with the dialogue, the time of day, week or season of the dialogue and the time required to complete the dialogue.

Abstract: Automatic meter readers are arranged for connection to customers' telephone lines and for automatic dialing for transmission of meter data to a computer of a utility control center, communications being effected through a call collection module which includes a plurality of call collection units connected to separate telephone lines for handling of a large number of calls. Each meter reader is battery-operated and includes a microprocessor which is powered up periodically for a short time interval to store data, to determine whether the number of power-ups since the last meter data transmission is such that a call to the utility control center should be instituted, and to determine whether leakage, tamper or other conditions require an immediate call.

Abstract: A facsimile machine includes an automatic calling and answering net control unit (AA-NCU) which is connected to a private automatic branch exchange (PABX). The AA-NCU has three modes of operation in accessing an outside line, typically a public telephone line. The access mode of operation is set and stored when the facsimile machine is first connected to a particular PABX having a particular outside line access mode. A call control procedure is also set and stored in the facsimile machine. When the information input by an operator agrees with the stored call control procedure, the AA-NCU is controlled to place a call to an outside line in a mode appropriate for the associated PABX automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer-telephone interface system by which a general purpose personal computer is enabled to perform telephone functions such as dialing, answering ringing lines, and placing lines on hold without the need for a separate telephone instrument. The interface system is responsive to digital signals received from a microprocessor in the computer to implement the signalling functions utilized in a standard switched telephone network. The interface system performs dialing sequences entered either from the keyboard of the computer, a location in the computer memory, a location on a display screen associated with the computer or a location specified by a cursor used in association with the keyboard. Operation of the interface system does not interfere with the concurrent operation by the computer of an applications program.

Abstract: An image recognition method and system are provided for identifying predetermined individual members of a viewing audience in a monitored area. A pattern image signature is stored corresponding to each predetermined individual member of the viewing audience to be identified. An audience scanner includes audience locating circuitry for locating individual audience members in the monitored area. A video image is captured for each of the located individual audience members in the monitored area. A pattern image signature is extracted from the captured image. The extracted pattern image signature is compared with each of the stored pattern image signatures to identify a particular one of the predetermined audience members. These steps are repeated to identify all of the located individual audience members in the monitored area.

Abstract: A pay-per-view CATV system which is interfaced with the switched public telephone system is described. A subscriber selects a specific scheduled television event by dialing a telephone number which uniquely identifies the selected event. The called and originating numbers are identified, digitized and combined to form a digital word. The digital word is then transmitted to the CATV supplier.

Abstract: A device for aiding maintenance of an electromechanical installation, which installation has an automatic monitoring and control apparatus, provides remote supervision of the electromechanical installation. The device includes a control unit connected to the automatic monitoring and control apparatus and to the public telephone system. The device also includes at least one external supervision video terminal having a keyboard, a display screen, and a printer. The video terminal is connected to the public telephone system for remote interrogation of the control unit.

Abstract: A data transmission system causes a remote data set to dial a central computer periodically and also causes the data set to stand by at more frequent intervals to detect a call from, and then return a call to, the computer via a non-dedicated telephone line. The system is coupled to a telephone instrument, a data set, and the telephone transmission line and normally connects the telephone instrument and the data set to the telephone transmission line. A clock in the system triggers the data set to call the central computer periodically, as for example once a month. More frequently, as for example during one hour each night, the clock connects the telephone instrument and the data set to a subsystem which stands by during the interval to detect a possible call from the computer. During the interval, the telephone instrument is normally disconnected from the telephone transmission line and the data set remains connected by the subsystem.

Abstract: A system for automatically surveying television viewership detects horizontal and vertical synchronization signals and determines the relative phases of these signals with respect to a time base counter in a survey unit. All stations in the viewing area are monitored to determine the relative phases of the broadcast synchronization signals with respect to a time base counter of the monitoring unit. Then, the data are correlated to determine the channels being viewed. Correlation is made by comparing the direction and magnitude of phase shifts of the synchronization signals in the surveyed unit with the data produced by the unit monitoring all stations.

Abstract: An automatic telecommunication system includes a central location and at least one remote location where a data reporting system including a modem is situated. The central location establishes communications over the switched telephone network to the modem coupled to a telephone line at the remote location. At least one telephones is also connected to the telephone line at the remote location. Circuitry is provided for suppressing ringing of the telephone when the central location initiates a call to the modem at the remote location. The circuitry includes a microprocessor for controlling the modem to respond to incoming ringing signals on the telephone line only during a predetermined time window. The circuitry also includes an arrangement for detecting a ringing signal on the telephone line and delivering an input to the microprocessor indicating ringing. The microprocessor delivers an output if the ringing occurs during the predetermined time window.

Abstract: A modular acoustic sound system for a room for two-way conversations without the need for switching. The system includes pairs of microphones each connected to a phase shifter so that in-phase signals inputted to the microphone pair are shifted 180.degree. apart. The out-of-phase signals are input to a summing circuit having an amplified output which drives a plurality of loudspeakers. A portion of the audible loudspeaker outputs enters the microphone pair, is phase shifted, and cancelled out in the summing amplifier. Any number of loudspeaker/microphone pairs operate in the system and any microphone may be spoken into to drive every loudspeaker.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circuit arrangement for connecting a voice-controlled additional facility associated with a telephone station to a telephone line. According to the invention a telephone station (32) is connected with a voice-controlled additional facility (2). The additional facility (2) performs voice-controlled telephone dialing and/or voice-controlled operation of a videotex terminal. This is implemented by a connection unit (14) inserted in the telephone line (16). The connection unit (14) cooperates with the exchange to permit calls to be initiated, in the known manner, by means of a keypad at the telephone station (32). Any type of telephone station (32) can be connected to the voice-controlled additional facility (2) without any engineering modifications.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus includes a data communication unit for performing data communication; a setting unit for setting the apparatus in an automatic communication mode; an information unit responsive to a calling signal coming from a line for informing of the incoming of a calling signal using a sound; and a control unit for making the information unit not responsive to the calling signal from the line during the automatic communication mode and automatically performing data communication using the data communication means.

Abstract: A communication system includes a console unit having a plurality of one-touch dial keys and adbridged dial keys; a nonvolatile RAM for storing two different selection signal data in correspondence with a single key input from the console unit; an NCU for supplying a selection signal onto a communication line; an original detector for detecting the presence/absence of an original sheet; and a system controller for selectively reading out the two different selection signal data from the nonvolatile RAM in accordance with the presence/absence of the original sheet.

Abstract: A communications system for use in a coaxial cable data transmission system such as in a hotel/motel system between a central processor and a room and the room and appliances within the room wherein frequency shift key modulation of a high frequency signal is used for communication between the central processor and the rooms and amplitude shift key modulation of a low frequency signal is utilized for communication within the room between the in-room controller and appliances within the room. In addition, the system also utilizes a serial interface input/output card in the central processor which detects the quality of the signal coming from each room in regard to frequency, signal level and deviation and stores those signals for maintenance purposes. Also, the system provides for long distance interrogation of the central processor over telephone lines so that the hotel/motel operating system may be reviewed from a remote distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a presentation player which is utilized in a digital, interactive communication system accessible to a plurality of subscribers who can select any of a plurality of pre-recorded video/audio presentations for viewing on their television sets. The presentation player includes a converter which is tuned to a channel for monitoring a digital stream of information including digital packets representative of the video/audio presentations selected by subscribers. These digital packets of information include an address assigned to the particular requesting subscriber. In accordance with this addressing information, a controller distributes the digital packet of information to one of a plurality of subscriber servers housed within the presentation player. The subscriber server receiving the uniquely addressed digital packets converts the packet into an NTSC-compatible analog formatted video/audio presentation for transmission to the requesting subscriber.

Abstract: A cellular network data transmission system including a digital communicator having a memory in which data is stored and an automatic dialer at a specific location for responding to an electrical signal indicating a specific condition exists, a cellular interface connected to the digital communicator and a cellular transceiver having an antenna, connected to the cellular interface, a cellular network including a central computer and an antenna for receiving signals from the transceiver antenna and for transmitting such signals from the central cellular computer site to a central monitoring station whereby the occurrence of a specific condition at the specific location initiates the dialing of an assigned number by the automatic dialer and the transmission of data corresponding to the specific location from the memory through the interface, transceiver and cellular network to the central monitoring station, the cellular network also adapted to receive signals initiated by the central monitoring station and to