US3569937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tone signal communications apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-11-06
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-11-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides the means by which one or more signals can be employed to operate one or more load devices. Embodiments of the invention have widespread application, but are particularly useful in the broadcast field where these tone signals can be generated in the broadcast studio and then, via radio or television, received in the home where they can be made to operate apparatus that will display to the home listener or viewer the information represented by these tone signals. In this way, the home listener or viewer is directly involved and made a participant of the program being broadcast.
Inventors
- 👤 Merrill Heatter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H20/30; H04H20/31; G; G08; G08C; G08C19/00; G08C19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A system of communications comprising: first means at a first location for generating a carrier signal that is modulated by selected ones of a number of discrete tone signals representing a corresponding number of discrete bits of information; second means at a second location that is spaced from said first location, said second means including a receiver for demodulating said carrier signal to audibly reproduce said selected tone signals, and tone discriminating means spaced from said receiver and yet close enough to it to receive said reproduced audible tone signals, said tone discriminating means having output terminals equal in number to the number of discrete tone signals, one output terminal for each such tone signal, and being operable in response to said audible tone signals to produce electrical signals at the output terminals corresponding thereto, said tone discriminating means including a vibrating reed relay having as many reeds as discrete tone signals, said reeds being electrically conductive and respectively designed to vibrate in response to the audible tone signals, said tone discriminating means further including sound pickup means for applying the audible tone signals to said reeds, said reeds respectively vibrating to make contact with said output terminals in response to the application of the tone signals thereto, and output circuits equal in nuMber to said output terminals and respectively connected thereto, each output circuit including a load element, said output circuits respectively being operable in response to electrical signals applied to said output terminals to respectively operate the load elements therein; and third means for transmitting said modulated carrier signals from said first to said second locations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
268 words
A system of communications comprising: first means at a first location for generating a carrier signal that is modulated by selected ones of a number of discrete tone signals representing a corresponding number of discrete bits of information; second means at a second location that is spaced from said first location, said second means including a receiver for demodulating said carrier signal to audibly reproduce said selected tone signals, and tone discriminating means spaced from said receiver and yet close enough to it to receive said reproduced audible tone signals, said tone discriminating means having output terminals equal in number to the number of discrete tone signals, one output terminal for each such tone signal, and being operable in response to said audible tone signals to produce electrical signals at the output terminals corresponding thereto, said tone discriminating means including a vibrating reed relay having as many reeds as discrete tone signals, said reeds being electrically conductive and respectively designed to vibrate in response to the audible tone signals, said tone discriminating means further including sound pickup means for applying the audible tone signals to said reeds, said reeds respectively vibrating to make contact with said output terminals in response to the application of the tone signals thereto, and output circuits equal in nuMber to said output terminals and respectively connected thereto, each output circuit including a load element, said output circuits respectively being operable in response to electrical signals applied to said output terminals to respectively operate the load elements therein; and third means for transmitting said modulated carrier signals from said first to said second locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein said first location is a broadcast studio and said first means includes a tone-control device manually operable for selectively generating successive groups of discrete tone signals, the tone signals in each group occurring simultaneously and for the same period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein said first means includes a member on which said tone signals have been recorded in a predetermined sequence, and apparatus for reproducing the tone signals recorded on said member in the sequence recorded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein said tone discriminating means includes a vibrating reed relay having as many reeds as discrete tone signals that can be generated, said reeds being electrically conductive and respectively designed to vibrate in response to the discrete tone signals reproduced, said reeds being operable when they are vibrating to make contact with said output terminals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system defined in claim 2 wherein said third means includes a transmitter wherein a carrier wave is generated, said transmitter being connected to said tone-control device and having a network therein for modulating said carrier wave with the tone signals generated; a transmitter antenna coupled to said transmitter for transmitting said modulated carrier wave through space; a receiver antenna at said second location for receiving said modulated carrier wave; and a receiver for demodulating said modulated carrier wave to produce the generated tone signals, said receiver being coupled to said receiver antenna.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |