Abstract: The invention provides a telephone station having a voice announce device. The telephone station includes user interface devices and a telephone station controller coupled to the user interface devices. The telephone station controller selects one of the user interface devices to announce a call from a remote caller based on a state of the telephone station. If the telephone station is in a NOT-BUSY state, the telephone station controller outputs a voice print corresponding to the remote caller to a speaker of the user interface devices to announce the call. If the telephone station is in a BUSY state, the telephone station controller outputs a voice print corresponding to the remote caller to a personal interface device of the user interface devices to announce the call. If the telephone station is in a SPEAKER state, the telephone station controller outputs displayable data to a display device of the user interface devices to announce the call.

Abstract: A handset for telephone and radio systems usually consists of a casing which contains a microphone, a loudspeaker, a printed circuit board carrying the electronic components, and normally also a switching mat made of a rubber type material (e.g. silicone), which switching mat is integrated into a keypad such that the keys of the keypad act on this switching mat to close switching contacts. According to the invention, the switching mat comprises a cavity corresponding to the external shape of the loudspeaker such that the loudspeaker can be introduced into this cavity either from the rear or from one of the adjacent front ends of the switching mat. This results in a significant simplification of the assembly process, as well as a major improvement in shock and vibration protection.

Abstract: A communication terminal equipment includes a body formed in a substantially parallelepiped form, housing communicating and receiving means therein. In this communication terminal equipment, a linear portion forming a side surface of the body and a projecting outwardly portion projected from the side surface are formed to be contiguous to each other. A single operation member which can be caused to undergo a movement operation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction constituting an operation mechanism for carrying out input to and switching of the communicating and receiving means housed within the body is provided at the projected portion. Only the single operation member is subjected to movement operation in the forward and reverse directions and makes it possible to carry out input to the communicating and receiving means and switching thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing acoustic background noise for use with a telephone handset or a boom microphone device or a boom headset or the like. The apparatus includes first and second microphones which are arranged such that the first microphone receives a desired speech input and the background noise present in the vicinity of the speech, and the second microphone receives substantially only the background noise. The background noise from the second microphone is converted into a corresponding electrical signal and subtracted from a signal corresponding to the speech and background noise obtained from the first microphone so as to produce a signal representing substantially the speech.

Abstract: A mobility management system and a traditional telecommunication switching system provide telecommunication terminal features by the mobility management system executing a software architecture that utilizes a unique terminal management application for each type of wireless terminal and a unique terminal emulator application for each type of telecommunication link that interconnects the mobility management system to the telecommunication switching system. There is an individually assigned telecommunication link for each wireless terminal. The terminal management applications and the terminal emulator applications communicate utilizing an internal message protocol. In response to a wireless terminal requesting actuation of a feature, a terminal management application converts that request into the required internal protocol messages and transmits the internal protocol messages to the terminal emulator application that controls the telecommunication link assigned to the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A time-to-call and corresponding telephone number are stored in a memory (207) of a radiotelephone (100). The radiotelephone reminds a user that it is time to place a call by emitting a noise through a speaker (105) when a time-of-the-day is equal to or later than the time-to-call. The radiotelephone determines if the radiotelephone is powered on before displaying the telephone number on a display (111). Upon viewing the displayed telephone number, the user can cancel the call or confirm placement of the call to the telephone number by pressing a key (109) or key combination. If confirmed, the radiotelephone automatically dials the telephone number. When a time duration passes before the radiotelephone is powered on, the call is terminated, or the call is canceled, the user has the option to delete the telephone number and corresponding time-to-call from the memory, or change the time-to-call.

Abstract: System for use by a caller and a recipient of a telephone call for suppressing environmental noise in the vicinity of a telephone comprising a telephone handset forming a part of the telephone. The telephone handset has a human voice sensor for picking up human sounds generally in one direction, and creating a first electrical signal. A speaker capable of producing substantially directional human voice sounds is provided. A second sound sensor is carried by the handset and has sound pick-up capabilities from a direction which is generally opposite said one direction for picking up external environmental noise in the vicinity of the handset and producing a second electrical signal having a frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: A handsfree communication apparatus utilizing a plurality of microphones to allow simultaneous communication by a plurality of persons. The plurality of microphones are separately provided apart from one another. An amplifier section (or a noise canceller) includes a plurality of operational amplifiers for signal amplification individually corresponding to the plurality of microphones, and differential amplifier circuit for executing a differential amplification. Through the differential amplification, simultaneously input noise components are canceled out and reduced, and at the same time speech components are extracted.

Abstract: An automated method for modifying a speech signal in a telephone network by applying a gain factor which is a function of the level of background noise at a given destination, and transmitting the modified speech signal to the destination. The gain applied may be a function of both the background noise level and the original speech signal. Either a linear or a non-linear (e.g., compressed) amplification of the original speech signal may be performed, where a compressed amplification results in the higher level portions of the speech signal being amplified by a smaller gain factor than lower level portions. The speech signal may be separated into a plurality of subbands, each resultant subband signal being individually modified in accordance with the present invention. In this case, each subband speech signal is amplified by a gain factor based on a corresponding subband noise signal, generated by separating the background noise signal into a corresponding plurality of subbands.

Abstract: A post assembly process for enabling a manufacturer of acoustical communications apparatus, such as telephones and the like, to conveniently trim a sensitivity characteristic of an electret microphone therein, after assembly of the apparatus, whereby a uniform performance standard may be adhered to. When the acoustical sensitivity characteristic of the electret transducer is measured to be greater than a predetermined value, the transducer is exposed to X-ray radiation until the measured sensitivity characteristic has been reduced to the predetermined value.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing acoustic background noise for use with a telephone handset or a boom microphone device or the like. The apparatus includes first and second microphones which are arranged such that the first microphone receives a desired speech input and the background noise present in the vicinity of the speech, and the second microphone receives substantially only the background noise. The background noise from the second microphone is converted into a corresponding electrical signal and subtracted from a signal corresponding to the speech and background noise obtained from the first microphone so as to produce a signal representing substantially the speech.

Abstract: Modules integral with the body of the assembly include one for drop wire connections, one for subscriber wire connections, one for an electronics interface, and one for a network interface device. Protective sealant material within the assembly protects contacts from corrosion and other deterioration, and from shorting. Sealant plungers and a chamber containing a compressed gas impose compressive forces upon the sealant material. Shunt plugs associated with two of the modules permit signal transmission across the modules at desired times, and when removed eliminate the possibility of a subscriber being shocked or transmitting a spark when accessing subscriber components of the assembly. The main body and the modules of the assembly preferably are integrally connected and form a unitary sealed assembly.

Abstract: A portable telephone set having a ringing circuit for producing different ringing tones depending upon the use mode of the portable telephone set, a portable mode or a mobile mode. The ringing circuit comprises a mode detecting circuit for detecting the use mode, an internal loudspeaker housed in a housing of the portable telephone set for producing a first ringing signal when the portable telephone set is in the portable mode, an external loudspeaker connected externally of the housing for producing a second ringing signal when it is in the mobile mode and a ringing tone generator for generating a first and a second ringing tones for driving the respective loudspeakers producing first and second ringings. The first and second ringing tones have frequency spectra compatible with frequency characteristics of these loudspeakers to produce the respective ringings efficiently.

Abstract: A mobile telephone apparatus for installation in a vehicle comprises a handset and a cradle member for releasably holding and locating the handset. The cradle member includes a loudspeaker grille which, in plan view, is disposed laterally of the handset when the handset is present of the cradle. The handset does not therefore impede the sound from the loudspeaker. The cradle member may be substantially triangular in cross section. The handset can thus be presented to the driver of the vehicle at an optimum angle for easy physical and visual access, without the need for an additional mounting means. Furthermore, the cradle is reversible for left- or right-hand mounting, also allowing horizontal or vertical handset mounting on the dashboard.

Abstract: A weatherproof network interface module for providing connection between a customer's equipment and the telephone company owned portion of the customer loop includes an overvoltage protection device disposed therein in addition to the circuitry which provides a prescribed line test termination impedance having particular characteristic signature to the telephone central office when a continuity test is made on a subscriber line and may include an illumination device and test switch for indicating when the telephone company owned portion of the customer loop is in operating order, or may include a device for connecting or disconnecting the telephone company owned portion of the customer loop from the customer loop portion wherein all of terminals are weatherproof (protected from the environment).

Abstract: An improved noise cancelling apparatus is disclosed combining a unique directional noise cancelling microphone structure with a noise reducing, signal shaping electronic circuit. The microphone structure simultaneously receives two input signals; a first signal containing only ambient noise and a second signal containing both ambient noise and a voice signal. The microphone structure cancels the two noise components and transmits the voice signal into an electrical signal. The electronic circuit further processes the electrical signal to suppress any noise components not cancelled by the microphone structure. The electronic circuit also functions to enhance the high frequency components of the voice signal to provide a richer, more pleasant sounding output. Because the unique microphone structure is combined with the electronic circuit the noise cancelling apparatus of the present invention provides a cleaner, more pleasant sounding output than that of the prior art.

Abstract: A dial illuminating assembly allows for minimum power operation while maintaining uniformity of illumination in a telephone dial. The dial illumination assembly includes a plurality of fiber optic light guides for receiving light rays emanating from a light source and for directing these light rays to a plurality of translucent buttons. Illumination of the translucent buttons is achieved by creating multiple abraded surfaces on the light guides for dispersing the light rays in the vicinity of each translucent button. The light guides are routed along opposed sides of the translucent buttons with abraded surfaces on the light guides being positioned next to each button for providing the desired illumination. The dial illuminating assembly directs light rays so efficiently that only one light source is needed to provide uniform illumination in standard telephone dials.

Abstract: The telephone handset is provided with at least one piezoelectric transducer (6, 7). The transducer is received in a housing part (2) which includes fixing means for the transducer and its electrical connection means. The housing part is assembled with at least one other complementary part (1) in order to form the handset shell, and it closes the shell locally. An adaptor sleeve makes it possible to replace the piezoelectric transducer by an electromagnetic transducer.

Abstract: A directional microphone assembly is constructed from a first-order-gradient microphone element enclosed within a housing, molded from an acoustically-opaque, resilient material such as Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer. The microphone element includes a diaphragm which moves under the influence of sound pressures applied on its opposite surfaces to generate an electrical signal which is proportional to the differential sound pressure. The housing includes a first acoustically-transparent channel for communicating sound pressure from a first opening in the housing to one surface of the diaphragm, and a second acoustically-transparent channel for communicating sound pressure from a second opening in the housing to the other surface of the diaphragm. The housing supports the microphone element and forms a continuous seal around its perimeter so that sound pressure in one channel does not leak into the other.

Abstract: A communications unit with a telephone receiver is intended for fitting in a standardized recess for radio equipment in vehicles. The telephone receiver in a first user position lies protected in the recess. By use of an automatic or manually initiated ejection, the telephone receiver is caused to take up a second user position in which the receiver has another orientation and a more advanced position relative to the recess. In this second position the telephone receiver can be picked up from a telephone receiver holder for manual handling. The invention permits a safer handling of the telephone while driving, and without obstructing the accessibility to other vehicle controls in the vicinity of the recess when the telephone receiver is in its first user position.

Abstract: An auxiliary frame to be detachably fastened inside a hand-held telephone for mounting at least some of the components of the hand telephone, has a lower edge with separate indentations for receiving power supply contacts and for securing them between the auxiliary frame and the attachment base of the hand-held telephone, e.g., a circuit board. Another indentation is provided at the lower edge for receiving the signal conductor of the external antenna of the telephone and for securing the signal conductor between the auxiliary frame and the attachment base. The upper surface of the auxiliary frame is designated for supporting the internal disc antenna of the telephone, which antenna is secured to the upper surface in abutting relationship therewith.

Abstract: A telephone headset apparatus for use with an existing cellular telephone. The headset apparatus is modularly connectable to the existing cellular telephone system, and no electrical or mechanical modification of the existing telephone system is required. A "handset primacy" feature of the headset apparatus ensures that normal handset operation of the cellular telephone system is unaffected by the installation of the headset apparatus. In addition, the handset may remain resting in its cradle even while the headset is operated. A slave unit connects with the cellular telephone's transceiver unit, and a headset control unit connects both the headset and handset to the slave unit. The headset control unit contains a pushbutton for selecting headset operation, as well as a volume control dial for controlling the volume of sound reproduced by the headset's earpiece.

Abstract: A convenient versatile telephone handset and holder assembly are provided, which are particularly useful for business travelers in airplanes, trains, ships, and buses to link up to reservation systems and other data bases. The telephone handset preferably has one set of telephone activating keys and another set of computer control keys. The special telephone handset can also have a card-receiving slot and a recessed mouthpiece. The handset holder assembly has a sloping bottom portion and an elastomeric biasing member to facilitate quick removal fo the telephone handset. An overhead lock assembly can be provided to engage the credit card-receiving slot of the telephone handset in order to secure the handset when the handset is stored in the holder. A special reversible mount plate and bracket can also be provided to quickly and securely mount the handset to the left, right, or other portions of a chair, bulkhead, or other surface.

Abstract: A high security shield for use on the upper housing of conventional telephone paystations consisting of a thick stainless steel or similar material U-shaped wrap-around welded to the standard upper housing. The unit replaces the standard die cast face plate and contains the usual face plate features to provide maximum high security. The shield covers the entire front of the upper housing as well as each of the sides.

Abstract: An improved telephone handset dispenser stores and dispenses a telephone handset and dispenses the handset upon insertion of an implement such as a credit card. A rectangular front face of a generally box-shaped housing has a longitudinal trough defined therein for receiving the handset. Upon insertion of the implement into a slot defined in the front face of the housing, the handset is dispensed for use. The telephone is electrically attached to the housing by a cord. A rotatably cylindrical cord reel dispenses the cord through the longitudinal trough as the handset is removed, and also stores unused cord. Cord is directed between the cord reel and the longitudinal trough perpendicular to the circumference of the cord reel by a cord guide, thereby permitting the cord reel to be centered in the housing with respect to the longitudinal trough. The housing has two sides and two ends, tapered toward the front face to prevent objects from being placed and retained thereon.

Abstract: An information appliance in which a telephone unit having at least a telephone function and an information processing apparatus having at least a data input/processing function are arranged so as to be capable of being used separably or of being combined with each other through inter connection means provided therebetween, so that the telephone unit and the information processing apparatus are electrically connected to each other when the telephone unit and the information processing apparatus are combined with each other.

Abstract: A telephone base member and base support member combination in which there are two support members. The two support members may be assembled together and as an assembly may be mounted upon the base member. This arrangement provides a first angle of support for the base member upon a support surface. Alternatively, only one of the support members is mounted upon the base member. This arrangement provides for a different angle of support.

Abstract: A telephone receptacle for releasably affixing a portion of a telephone handset thereto. A retractable latch member latchingly engages with a corresponding, mated latching surface formed on the telephone handset when the latch member is positioned in the latch position. An actuation force applied to either the left-hand side portion, or the right-side portion of the telephone receptacle retracts the retractable latch member into a release position thereby permitting the telephone handset to be removed from the telephone receptacle.

Abstract: For use in conjunction with vehicular, hand-held, pay telephone, a telephone dispenser and latching mechanism for securing the telephone in the dispenser and, in response to actuation by a telephone user, releasing the telephone from the dispenser. The dispenser includes an elongated dispenser channel or stepwise construction. The dispenser channel is enclosed at one end by a latch plate including a credit-card-actuated latching mechanism. The dispenser channel is enclosed at an opposite end by a face plate having an opening for the insertion and extraction of the telephone from the dispenser channel and a slot for the insertion of a credit-card. The latch-release actuator is located behind the face plate slot and is mechanically linked to the latching mechanism. A credit card, once inserted into the slot, causes the latching mechanism to disengage from the telephone, permitting an ejector mechanism to urge the telephone out of the dispenser.

Abstract: An adjustable telephone headset for the hearing impaired comprising a left and a right ear piece, a speaker within each ear piece, an input device, such as a microphone or magnetic induction pickup within one of the ear pieces, and an amplifier connected between the input device and the speaker. Optionally, a switch may select between either a microphone or a magnetic induction pickup as the choice of input device. A wearer of the headset may place a telephone receiver against the microphone or magnetic induction pickup, allowing an amplified telephone conversation to be heard by both ears. Independent volume controls for each speaker allow individual adjustment to compensate for variations in hearing loss, and optional tone controls for each speaker similarly allow optimum compensation for differences in tonal response in the wearer's ears. An optional remote microphone allows use as a conventional hearing aid when not engaged in telephone conversation.

Abstract: A telephone base structure having an underwall and another wall overlying the underwall. Spaced-apart cantilever beams in the underwall carry support feet at free ends of the beams. The beams are resiliently flexible upwards for the purpose of stabilizing the base structure upon a support surface with the overlying wall acting as a stop to limit the upward movement of the beams.

Abstract: A double annular ring gasket (202) interfaces a speaker (201) to a housing (200) in a portable radiotelephone, providing a conformal and acoustic seal between the speaker (201) and the housing (200), and compensating for dimensional tolerance between the housing (200) and the circuit board subassembly (204) on which the speaker (201) is mounted. The gasket (201) includes outer ring (205), inner ring (206) and intermediate ring (207) therebetween. The gasket (202) is inserted into a cavity (203) in the housing (200). Then, the speaker (201), as part of a printed circuit board subassembly (204), is pressed into place against the outer ring (205) of gasket (202) to form an axial seal and the inner ring (206) is deformed radially by the speaker (201) to form a conformal seal.

Abstract: A station interface and protector apparatus for use on a telephone line pair includes a protector device having terminals connected from each line to a ground terminal, via a gas discharged tube and/or a protective air gap and includes an insulated cover which covers the protector device and is provided with a telephone receptacle (jack) to which the incoming telephone line pair is connected. A cable having a plurality of wires therein is terminated on one end with a cooperating telephone line plug disposed within the receptacle with the other end of the cable wires being connected to a plurality of terminals provided in the cover which is additionally adapted to receive the subscribers telephone line pairs.

Abstract: The telephone comprises a handset (8) having a receiver and a microphone, and a base (2) on which the handset may be placed. According to the invention, the casing (28) of the base is fitted with another receiver and another microphone and has a shape such that the base may be used as a second handset, thereby enabling two people to converse at the same time with one outside person if the phone is connected to one line or with different outside people if the phone is connected to two lines.

Abstract: A restaurant telephone console comprising a U-shaped chassis mounted upwards on a pipe above a table and supporting a speaker, lamp bulbs, telephone chime and TV set over which fits a translucent circular lampshade support on which is mounted a telephone, audio and lamp controls and a push-button switch for selecting audio and video signals. Food and drink orders may be taken over the telephone. The audio and video signals include music, daily specials and major TV events. An alarm is activated if the lampshade support is pulled from the chassis. The speaker is mounted cone down on the chassis and the audio is emitted from the chassis' open ends. When the telephone is rung, the chime activates and the lamp bulbs go out. The area of the lampshade support in front of the TV screen is transparent and may comprise a magnifying lens. The console is rotatable to face the phone and TV screen toward a patron at the table.

Abstract: An improved telephone set of the type including a telephone body and a handset adapted to be placed on the former. The telephone body has a pair of engagement blocks incorporated therein of which part is projected outwardly of the telephone body and they are fitted into engagement recesses on the handset whereby the latter is firmly placed on the telephone body. At least the one engagement block has an engagement face which is adapted to come in contact with the engagement portion in the corresponding engagement recess. Thus, the handset is reliably held on the telephone body.

Abstract: A terminal of a telephone switchboard installation with one dialing and one service and/or input keyboard and one or more indicator device(s) and a cradle for the hand set. The terminal includes, on the upper side of the terminal a sliding part, which is formed by the upper side which accommodates the keyboards and sometimes includes an indicator device. In one position, the sliding part operationalizes an additional keyboard or indicator device which is located beneath it. This additional keyboard may be designed as a targeted dialing key set, an alpha-numerical input keyboard, etc., and in addition, the keyboard may be replaced with a bank of lamps indicating lines in use.

Abstract: A miniature telephone handset that is convertible into a headset for use in conjunction with a telephone base unit. The telephone handset includes a housing, a microphone mounted near one end of the housing, an earphone mounted near the other end of the housing, a cable for electrically connecting the microphone and the earphone to the telephone base unit, a bushing rotatably coupled to the housing near the earphone end, and a removable headband adapted for insertion into the bushing and operable for supporting the housing next to a user's head when used as a headset.

Abstract: A microphone arrangement, suitable for a telephone handset, comprises an array of microphone transducers, conveniently pressure transducers arranged at the vertices of a cube. Signal processing circuitry derives from the transducer outputs signals representing the magnitude and direction of the pressure gradient of the sound field at the array. In response to these signals, the microphone transducer outputs are weighted so as to direct the directional sensitivity lobe of the microphone towards the source of the maximum sound detected thereby.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device having differing means for access for the public utility, building owner or apartment manager, and those living in individual housing units; differing means of access provided in part by a latchpiece inserted between a first gate leading to a subscriber compartment and a second gate leading to the utility compartment. Also described is a container using the latchpiece.

Abstract: In a telephone usable as both table mounted type and wall hung type by selectively changing the direction of attaching of a holding board of which upper side extends at a certain inclination angle relative to the bottom thereof, a casing of the telephone is detachably fitted onto the holding board. The holding board includes receiving means for receiving telephone cable in the form of a bundle and it is formed with an inlet hole through which the cable is introduced into the holding board and an outlet hole through which it is taken from the same. As required, an excessive part of the cable is received in the holding board and thereby an usable length of cable can be reduced remarkably.

Abstract: A telephone terminal whose structure separates the high voltage and the low voltage functions in separate modules; the high voltage module being specific to the telephone network and the low-voltage module being in conformity with the service provided by the terminal.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular modular jack connecting block suitable for use in the connection or mounting of terminal equipment using modular plugs, i.e., wall phones and the like, and including separable interior portions and add-on portions which transform the modular jack connecting block to other types of connecting devices suitable for a variety of other connecting applications is presented.

Abstract: A telephone line demarcation unit separates the telephone company's property and wiring from those of the user and provides security for the telephone line connections and connectors. Compartments in the unit provide easy access for the user and further provides a selection of different types of connections or equipment that can be utilized. The telephone company terminals and test boards are separately compartmented so that the compartments can be separately sealed with seals to discourage tampering and provide evidence of tampering, and yet the user's portion of the interface box demarcation unit can be easily accessed for connecting a variety of telephone equipment.