Abstract: A telephone device and method that enable the user of the telephone to visibly read a number stored in a memory of the telephone even though the telephone does not have a numeric display. The telephone has at least one light, such as an LED, that is visible by a person using the telephone. The light is coupled to a controller that consists of a microprocessor and an LED driver. The microprocessor is coupled to the various keys on the telephone. When the microprocessor receives a command, via the telephone keys, for viewing a specific number, the microprocessor reads that number from memory. The microprocessor then instructs the driver to flash the light or lights on the telephone in such a manner that a person viewing the lights would become cognizant of the number. Thus, a person watching the telephones lights can read numbers from the memory of the telephone, even though the telephone does not have a numeric display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-wire line conditioning apparatus having an improved calibration and cancellation circuit and provides an improved calibration method using a multitone calibration signal. The output is monitored by an AGC circuit which controls the output, and prevents hard clipping. This is particularly important for DTMF receivers. Additionally, the apparatus automatically adjusts an electronic hybrid as part of a calibration procedure so as to eliminate undesirable echo effects when calls are placed along the line. The electronic hybrid balancing process and echo cancellation circuitry may also be utilized in a circuit for converting four-wire communications systems to two-wire communications systems. The line conditioning device of the present invention utilizes a multitone signal to simulate the voice frequency spectrum between approximately 500 Hz and 3500 Hz to probe the line side with a plurality of tones (e.g., 500, 1500 and 3500 Hz; or 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 Hz).

Abstract: A pixel array driver for applying gray level voltages to a group of pixels without the use of a ramp voltage generator employs an integrated circuit arrangement which multiplexes a plurality of discrete gray level voltages in staircase fashion onto a high-voltage bus, identifies each of the discrete voltages appearing on the high-voltage bus with a code word applied to a code word bus, and matches for each pixel the word on the code word bus to a previously stored data word that designates the gray level intensity voltage desired at the pixel. When the code word and the data word match, the pixel is disconnected from the high-voltage bus. Each pixel is provided with a sample and hold circuit to maintain the value of voltage reached after being disconnected from the high-voltage bus.

Abstract: A recording head includes a light emitting element array comprised of a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of switch elements for scanning the plurality of light emitting elements, and a drive device for driving the light emitting element array. The drive device has a variable resistor in a route for supplying a driving current to the plurality of switch elements. The control voltage of the variable resistor is varied to thereby adjust the driving current for the plurality of switch elements.

Abstract: A dedicated telephone dialer capable, in one embodiment, of automatically dialing a preprogrammed calling card abbreviated telephone number at one speed, waiting for a short period and then dialing a preprogrammed access number and, optionally, a preprogrammed personal identification number (PIN) at a slower speed. In second and third embodiments the dedicated telephone dialer is capable of automatically dialing a preprogrammed calling card abbreviated telephone number at one speed upon first activation and, dialing a preprogrammed access number and, optionally, a preprogrammed PIN at a slower speed, upon second activation. This invention comprises electrical circuitry for generating DTMF tones, logic for dialing the requisite numbers, and a switch, or switches in the case of the third embodiment, for initiating the dialing sequence or sequences. The electrical circuitry includes a replaceable power source, a number generating device, and a tone generating device.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus, including a plurality of recording heads each having an ink outlet, a liquid passage communicating with the outlet and an ejection energy generating element for generating energy for ejecting ink through the outlet; a refresher for refreshing the ink in the passage by driving the ejection energy generating element to eject the ink when a recording operation of the apparatus is not performed; and a controller for changing a driving condition for the ejection energy generating element by the refresher for the recording heads.

Abstract: A microphone system is provided for picking up ambient sounds including noises and for producing a sound voltage signal. A threshold is obtained from the sound voltage signal for determining a response voice spoken by an addressee in response to the bell tone. A response sound voltage based on the response voice is compared with the threshold, and a response voice signal is produced when the comparison is established. In response to the response voice signal, a line of the telephone is closed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-wire line conditioning apparatus having an improved calibration and cancellation circuit and provides an improved calibration method using a multitone calibration signal. The apparatus automatically adjusts an electronic hybrid as part of a calibration procedure so as to eliminate undesirable echo effects when calls are placed along the line. The hybrid has capacitors and resistors which can be switched into and out of the circuit by using simple transistor devices. The electronic hybrid balancing process and echo cancellation circuitry may also be utilized in a circuit for converting four-wire communications systems to two-wire communications systems. The line conditioning device of the present invention utilizes a multitone signal to simulate the voice frequency spectrum between approximately 500 Hz and 3500 Hz to probe the line side with a plurality of tones (e.g., 500, 1500 and 3500 Hz; or 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 Hz).

Abstract: To determine the deviation of longitudinal signal components from a predetermined value on a balanced two-wire circuit (A,B), a first voltage is measured between one of the wires (A) and a first reference potential by means of a first voltage measuring means (3), a second voltage is measured between the second wire (B) and a second reference potential by means of a second voltage measuring means (4), and the difference between the first and the second voltage is formed by means of a difference forming means (5), said difference being proportional to the deviation of the longitudinal signal components from the mean value of the first and the second reference potential.

Abstract: A multilevel image recording method is provided which can reproduce high resolution images with high quality and at a linear gradation. One pixel is formed by a left dot and a right dot, and a density of the pixel is expressed by a sum total of surface areas of each dot. The density of the pixel is distributed to the left dot and the right dot in accordance with curve A or curve B. At least dots expressing maximum densities at respective pixels in halftone regions are right dots.

Abstract: A telephone, particularly a portable handset operable in a digital radio telephone system, has a sidetone gain circuit 28 which applies one of two levels of gain G1 G2 dependent on whether a detector 30 detects a high magnitude of input signal 14 corresponding to speech or a low level of input signal 14 corresponding to an idle condition. With varying magnitude of input signal 14, the gain switches between G1 and G2 dependent on two thresholds T1 and T2 of the input signal, the relationship including hysteresis to prevent unduly rapid switching.

Abstract: A service station for an inkjet printer provides for wiping and sealing a nozzle of the printer's head as the head is moved to the printer's service zone from a printing zone by a carriage, includes a mobile head service having a wiper for cleaning the nozzle, a cap for sealing the nozzle, and a waste ink storage groove holding waste ink from the nozzle; a rotating member moving the mobile head servicer in the direction of the head's movement by the carriage's moving force; a lifting cam elevating the mobile head servicer rotating by the rotating member by stages so that the wiper and cap come in contact with the nozzle, thus scaling the nozzle; and restoring means making the mobile head servicer and rotating member return to their original neutral position.

Abstract: A telephone system and method where telephones automatically learn the required prefix codes used in a private system to reach a public telephone exchange. The telephone has a memory that stores the numbers of callers who have called that telephone. A microprocessor then compares each number dialed on that telephone to the stored numbers saved by the telephone. The comparison is done from the last digit in each number to the first digit in each number. If at least the last seven digits of a dialed number match at least the last seven digits of a saved number, then a match is considered to occur. By analyzing the numbers in a dialed number that are not the same as the numbers in a matched saved number, the microprocessor can determine a possible prefix code that was contained within the dialed number. By performing a statistical analysis of possible prefix codes, the microprocessor can determine the proper prefix code for the telephone.

Abstract: A speaker-phone telephone, in which a speaker-microphone unit is powered by wall current, and a separate telephone is separately powered, by telephone line current. The speaker-microphone unit contains a switch by which a user can call for a speaker-phone call. The switch initiates a signal, which is held in existence, until a microprocessor detects the signal, and removes it.

Abstract: A telephone series equipment line circuit for connection between a central office (CO) line and a terminal equipment (TE) line comprising a filter connected between the lines for blocking message signals from passing therebetween and for passing direct current (DC), a DC bypass circuit including a first series switch apparatus connected between the lines around the filter, series equipment connected via a DC blocking circuit and second series switching apparatus to the lines, the first switch apparatus being open and closed reciprocally to the second switch apparatus.

Abstract: A residual echo suppression system suppresses the remaining echo signal not cancelled by an echo canceller. The residual echo suppression system replaces the remaining echo signal by reshaping the spectrum of the signal so that the spectrum shape matches the background noise spectrum. The resultant system is useful in hands-free telephones and especially in hands-free cellular telephones for use in automobiles.

Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus has a microphone module movable between an on-hook position adjacent to a main shell and a call position distanced from the main shell. The communication terminal apparatus also includes a transmitter/receiver circuit for modulating and transmitting an output signal from the microphone module, and demodulating and reproducing an input signal, a speaker unit for receiving the demodulated input signal and emitting it as an audible sound, a detector mechanism for detecting the position of the microphone module, and a controller device responsive to a detection signal from the detector mechanism for controlling the input and output of the voice signals. The controller device mutes the output signal of the microphone module upon the detector mechanism detecting that the microphone module is located at the on-hook position. Hence, the muting action is activated and deactivated by the movement of the microphone module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to avoid wrong detection when detecting signals including CAS (Call Alert Signal) formed by specific frequencies in the audio range, wherein frequency components forming a specific signal are detected from an input signal, and it is judged whether any signal component other than that of specified frequency range is included or not in entered audio range signal by comparing the energy level of the entered audio range signal with the energy level of only the specified frequency components extracted from the input signal. If any signal component other than that of the specified frequency range is judged to be included as a result of the energy level comparison, the signal is judged not to be the CAS signal.

Abstract: A telephone device for preventing a long-term on-line state resulting from the handset being unintentionally left off-hook.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defeating a predictive dialing telemarketing system includes a signal generator in the nature of an oscillator (18) that is capable of creating a 914 Hz sine wave that substantially imitates the first tone of an intercept Special Information Tone used by the telephone network to indicate a nonworking number. The oscillator (18) is amplified with an amplifier (22). The imitation signal is selectively sent in response to the incoming call when a controller (12) closes a relay (20) to connect the imitation signal to the telephone line (16). The controller (12) is prompted to close the relay (20) by an off-hook detector (14) that indicates to the controller (12) when a voice signal is established.