Abstract: A cable converter for a television signal transmission having a stereo audio signal includes a coaxial output jack supplied with a 4.5 MHz aural intercarrier and a DC voltage for volume control and mute purposes. An interface circuit includes a pair of transistors connected in series for controlling the DC voltage level on the output jack as a function of desired volume level. One of the two transistors functions as a switch that may be operated from the cable head-end to provide a mute voltage level at the output jack for disabling the audio for nonauthorized channels. Optionally, a head-end control signal may operate another transistor for preventing coupling of the 4.5 Mhz aural intercarrier to the output jack.

Abstract: A supervisory monitoring and control system is described which provides for responding to a push-button telephone output from another location for changing operating parameters at the supervised site. In response to the received keyed telephone signal the system provides complete status of monitor and control ports plus any active alarms which have occurred. The foregoing information can be communicated by means of a voice synthesizer or supplied to a printer or the like.

Abstract: A programmed conversation recording system presents a caller with a sequence of messages and records caller responses to these messages during respective calling periods. According to this invention, pauses in the caller response are automatically detected and timed and a patience interval is provided which varies in real time during the recording period as a function of the duration of the caller response. The recording period is automatically terminated when the duration of a pause in the caller response exceeds the patience interval. By varying the patience interval in real time during the recording period, the recording system can be programmed to respond properly, even to responses to complex questions.

Abstract: A system for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto an audio signal transmitted concurrently with the television program. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing desired responses or response criteria, and a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with the response criteria stored in the memory. Also provided is electronic circuitry for scoring the responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at each of the remote receiving stations.

Abstract: Uncompensated, illegal viewing of a restricted channel at a subscriber's terminal in a subscription CATV system is prevented by including a redundancy check-bit in each subscriber's terminal address, and by providing for a verification of the check-bit before viewing of the program on the channel is permitted.

Abstract: A central control unit (scanner) is connected across a set of subscriber loops. At each subscriber's premises, an individual subscriber terminal unit (STU) is connected across that particular subscriber's loop. To each STU are connected the various instrumentalities which are to be monitored by the system, e.g. fire alarms, burglar alarms, etc. FSK modulated signals in the upper part of the audible range are transmitted from the scanner to the STUs at appropriate times. The STUs reply by means of similar signals to indicate the status (e.g. alarm, or non-alarm) of the instrumentalities at the respective subscriber premises. This transmission and retransmission is interrupted when the subscriber's telephone is off-hook. In addition, a signal below the audible range (low tone) is produced at the STU, and transmitted to the scanner over the telephone loop when all the instrumentalities at the particular subscriber premises are in a given state (e.g. non-alarm).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for recognizing broadcast segments, such as commercials, in real time by continuous pattern recognition without resorting to cues or codes in the broadcast signal. Each broadcast frame is parametized to yield a digital word and a signature is constructed for segments to be recognized by selecting, in accordance with a set of predefined rules, a number of words from among random locations throughout the segment and storing them along with offset information indicating their relative locations. As a broadcast signal is monitored, it is parametized in the same way and the library of signatures is compared against each digital word and words offset therefrom by the stored offset amounts. A data reduction technique minimizes the number of comparisons required while still maintaining a large database.

Abstract: An audiographic telephone conferencing system between a plurality of parties or users either directly connected or through a piece of apparatus known as a "meet me bridge" over voice grade telephone lines. Each user has a programmed personal computer which controls a programmable or "smart" modem, cassette recorder/player, and speakerphone. A protocol is implemented by the software, i.e. the computer program, in each of the computers which puts its respective modem in a listening mode to monitor the phone line at all times. The computer is further programmed and includes a memory for storing and transmitting graphics presently on hand to other user(s) via the modem during a teleconference or alternatively receive graphics from another user, or it can switch to an external graphics program to make new or modify existing graphic images.

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.

Abstract: A cable television system includes security means. A security sensor is provided a subscriber's house and when it generates an emergency signal a transmission path is formed by non-active elements from the security sensor to a trunk cable. An external control unit has a checking function of a power supplying state to the security sensor. The external control unit can communicate with a central station with respect to power source conditions of subscribers.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for providing isolation and interconnection between the tip (1) and ring (2) conductors of a telephone line and data communications equipment to be connected thereto, such as a modem or other device (12). The apparatus serves also as a circuit for dialing the telephone, responsive to dialing signals applied thereto. All switching is done electronically, eliminating the need for mechanical relays. A diode bridge (18) is connected to the tip (1) and ring (2) conductors of the telephone line; the active circuitry of the interface derives power through the bridge. A switchable constant-current load (48, 20, 22) is placed across the output nodes of the bridge. The load is switched by an opto-isolator (40) which, in turn, is controlled by the line-seizing switch of the data communications equipment. When the line-seizing switch is closed (i.e., the device is off-hook), the opto-isolator (40) causes the switchable load to place a low impedance d.c.

Abstract: The invention includes a first switch and a second switch serially connected between a telephone network line and a local telephone line which can be selectively connected to alternately either an auto answer modem or a human answer telephone set. A control register is associated with the local telephone line, having data contents representing whether the local telephone line is connected to the auto answer modem or alternately to the human answer telephone set. A billing delay element has an output connected to a control input of the first switch, for delaying the closure of the first switch for a predetermined interval after an answer tone is received over the telephone network line when the control register, which is connected to the control input of the first switch, indicates that the auto answer modem is connected to the local telephone line.

Abstract: In a switched integrated wideband and narrowband multiservices digital network (FIG. 1), the network control complex (612) includes a program-controlled call processing arrangement (800) that comprises a point-to-point call processing portion (8001) for handling point-to-point calls and a proxy vendor call processing portion (8002) for handling calls to broadcast program service vendors. For quick response to "channel change" requests from subscribers, the proxy vendor portion handles all calls within a single process (500). For ease of call control, the point-to-point portion handles each call via two processes (650, 660) one for each of the calling and called portions of each call. A message router (8000) receives messages from subscriber terminal equipment (400) requesting control functions for calls and routes them to the appropriate one of the proxy vendor and point-to-point processes.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for use with acoustic coupler interface devices. The adapter allows a non-standard handset mouthpiece to be used with a mouthpiece muff configured for a standard configuration mouthpiece without extensive modification to either the non-standard handset or the mouthpiece muff.

Abstract: A telephonic data communications system provides verbal communication of data in remote computer systems. The major components of the systems are a plurality of channels and a data processor. Each channel includes a text-to-speech translator for translating digitally stored textual data into analogue speech signals corresponding to the verbal expression of the textual data; a telephone interface for establishing a telephonic connection with a user by detecting incoming calls and by initiating calls; and an RS232 port for accessing a data base in a remote host computer system. The data processor includes software for controlling the communications protocols used by each channel, whereby each channel emulates a computer terminal suitable for communication with the remote computer system connected to that channel, and software for extracting selected data from the data received from the remote computer system.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained device for monitoring an area and reporting conditions automatically over standard telephone lines is disclosed. The device communicates through a modem in digital code with digital terminals or in synthetic speech when a digital terminal is not used.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting in series a plurality of communication line pairs, typically direct connected security loops used by alarm companies for monitoring customer's facilities. A bridge with pairs of bridge terminals and switches for connecting bridge terminal pairs to communication line pairs or to terminating lines. Local and remote control for the switches and control apparatus which permits service personnel to selectively terminate a bridge terminal pair with a direct or zero resistance connection line and leave a subscriber's communication line open, for maintaining service for other communication lines connected to the bridge while performing maintenance on the disconnected line. The apparatus is suitable for bridges with various numbers of terminals, such as six way, eight way and twelve way.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring the state of the phone line, directly or as reflected by signals from the modem, and controlling the application of power to a computer so that the computer is powered in response to an incoming call. The apparatus includes a controllable power switching element interposed between the power source and the computer's power input, and logic circuitry responsive to the state of the phone line or modem interface for controlling the power switching element. An alarm clock also controls the power switching element to power the computer up at a predetermined time.

Abstract: Inexpensive communication is provided between a data base and a plurality of subscribers each equipped with only a telephone and a TV set by using only tone signals to communicate from the subscribers to the data base, and data signals at least partially to communicate from the data base to the subscribers. For this purpose, each subscriber location needs to be provided with only the demodulator portion of a modem, and the base location needs to be provided only with the modulator portion of a modem and a tone decoder. A microprocessor-controlled security device is disclosed for remotely disabling a subscriber's module in case of misuse.

Abstract: TV cable apparatus wherein a stereo module unit at a user location automatically provides for the presentation of an FM audo channel associated with a particular TV channel. The FM frequency allocations associated with the particular TV channels are stored ina computer memory which may be periodically revised. The cable operator periodically sends out the latest TV channel versus FM channel frequency allocation in an FSK coded data signal which is recognized by the stereo module unit which then proceeds with an updating, if required. The data signal is sent on a normally unused FM channel and in one embodiment if this channel is changed, the apparatus is operable to find the new data channel for channel map updating.