Tone control circuit having a frequency-controllable filter

Claim 2

A communication system comprising a transmitter including a tone-generating circuit for generating tones selected from a first group of tones in a first band of frequencies and for generating tones selected from a second group of tones in a second band of frequencies separate and distinct from said first band of frequencies, said first band of frequencies being separated from second band of frequencies by a substantial intermediate band of frequencies, said tone-generating circuit generating a sequence of tones alternately selected from said first and second groups of tones, the time duration of the gap between adjacent tones being substantially zero, a transmitter output circuit coupled to said tone-generating circuit for transmitting signals corresponding to the sequence of tones a receiver including an input circuit for receiving the signals from said transmitter, a first tone control circuit, a second tone control circuit, said first tone control circuit being coupled to said input circuit and to said second tone control circuit and responsive to the application of tones from said first group of tones to said input circuit to provide first control signals to said second tone control circuit, said second tone control circuit being coupled to said input circuit and to said first tone control circuit and responsive to the application of the tones from said second group of tones to said input circuit to provide second control signals to said first tone control circuit, one of said tone control circuits furnishing an output control signal in response to the application of the last tone in the sequence of tones, and an output signal utilization circuit coupled to said one tone control circuit for utilizing said output control signal therefrom.

Claim 3

The communication system, set forth in claim 1, wherein certain of the tones in said second band of frequencies are harmonics of certain tones in said first band of frequencies.

Claim 4

The communication system set forth in claim 1, wherein said first band of frequencies and said second band of frequencies are in the audio range of frequencies.

Claim 5

The communication system set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said band of frequencies contains at least ten separate tones with each tone being separated from adjacent tones by about 3 1/3 percent of the frequency thereof.

Claim 6

The communication system set forth in claim 1, wherein the frequency of a tone is slightly greater than 1.035 times the frequency of the next lower tone. 6. The communication system set forth in claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a generator for generating a carrier signal that is modulated by the control tones.

Claim 7

The communication system set forth in claim 6, wherein the control tones are applied to the carrier signal by frequency modulation.

Claim 8

The communication system set forth in claim 1, wherein said sequence of tones comprises one tone selected from said first group of tones and having a time duration not substantially greater than 40 milliseconds and one tone selected from said second group of tones and having a time duration of at least not substantially greater than 40 milliseconds.

Claim 9

The communication system set forth in claim 1, wherein said sequence of tones comprises two tones selected from said first group of tones each having a time duration not substantially greater than 40 milliseconds and two tones selected from said second group of tones each having a time duration of not substantially greater than 40 milliseconds.

Claim 10

The communication system set forth in claim 1, wherein said sequence of tones comprises four tones selected from said first group of tones and each having a time duration not substantially greater than 40 milliseconds and three tones selected from said second group of tones each having a time duration of not substantially greater than 40 milliseconds.

Claim 11

In a communication system for selectively transmitting signals including a sequence of control tones alternately selected from a first group of tones in a first band of frequencies and from a second group of tones in a second band of frequencies separate and distinct from said first band of frequencies, a receiver comprising an input circuit for receiving the signals from an associated transmitter, a first tone control circuit, a second tone control circuit, means coupling said first tone control circuit to said input circuit and to said second tone control circuit, said first tone control circuit having a first tapped filter therein adjustable to a selected one of a plurality of positions respectively corresponding to a selected tone in said first group of tones so that upon the application of the selected tone to said input circuit there is produced first control signals that are applied to said second tone control circuit to said input circuit and to said first tone control circuit, said second tone control circuit having a second tapped filter therein adjustable to a selected one of a plurality of positions respectively corresponding to a selected tone in said second group of tones so that upon the application of the selected tone to said input circuit there is produced second control signals that are applied to said first tone control circuit, one of said tone control circuits furnishing an output control signal in response to the application of the last tone in the sequence of tones, an output signal utilization circuit coupled to said one tone control circuit for utilizing said output control signal therefrom.

Claim 12

In a communication system for selectively transmitting signals including a sequence of control tones alternately selected from a first group of tones in a first band of frequencies and from a second group of tones in a second band of frequencies separate and distinct from said first band of frequencies, a receiver comprising an input circuit for receiving the signals from an associated transmitter, a first tone control circuit, a second tone control circuit, means coupling said first tone control circuit to said input circuit and to said second tone control circuit, said first tone control circuit having a first tapped filter therein adjustable to a selected one of a plurality of positions respectively corresponding to a selected tone in said first group of tones so that upon the application of the selected tone to said input circuit there is produced first control signals that are applied to said second tone control circuit to said input circuit and to said first tone control circuit, said second tone control circuit having a second tapped filter therein adjustable to a selected one of a plurality of positions respectively corresponding to a selected tone in said second group of tones so that upon the application of the selected tone to said input circuit there is produced second control signals that are applied to said first tone control circuit, one of said tone control circuits furnishing an output control signal in response to the application of the last tone in the sequence of tones, an output signal utilization circuit coupled to said one tone control circuit for utilizing said output control signal therefrom.

Claim 13

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein said first tapped filter is adjustable to pass a selected tone in a first band of frequencies and said second tapped filter is adjustable to pass a selected tone in a second band of frequencies, said first band of frequencies being separated from said second band of frequencies by a substantial intermediate band of frequencies.

Claim 14

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein said first and second tapped filters are adjustable to pass tones that are in an audio range of frequencies.

Claim 15

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein each of said tapped filters is adjustable to pass a selected one of at least ten separate tones, each tone being separated from the adjacent tones by about 3 1/3 percent of the frequency thereof.

Claim 16

The receiver set forth in claim 11, and further comprising a holding circuit interconnecting said first and second tone control circuits so as to accommodate tone duration of any length longer than a delay period provided the time gap between adjacent tones in the sequence of tones is substantially zero.

Claim 17

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein said first tapped filter has a connection to only one of the taps thereon and said second tapped filter has a connection to only a signal tap thereon, whereby said receiver is responsive to a sequence of two selected tones.

Claim 18

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein said first tapped filter has connections to two of the taps thereon corresponding to two tones in said first group of tones, and said second tapped filter has connections to two taps thereon corresponding to two tones selected from said second group of tones, whereby said receiver is responsive to a sequence of four control tones.

Claim 19

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein said first tapped filter has connections to four of the taps thereon corresponding to four tones selected from said first group of tones, and said second tapped filter has connections to three taps thereon corresponding to three tones selected from said second group of tones, whereby said receiver is responsive to a sequence of seven selected tones.

Claim 20

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein the selection of connections to the taps on said tapped filters is made mechanically.

Claim 21

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein the connection to the selected tap on said tapped filter is made electronically.

Claim 22

The receiver set forth in claim 11, wherein the selection of the tones to which the receiver is responsive is made by the connectors which connect said tapped filters to the tone receiver components.

Claim 23

A communication receiver for responding to a sequence of first and second control tones, said receiver comprising an input circuit for receiving the control tones, a first filter coupled to said input circuit and tuned to the frequency of the first control tone and providing a signal which has an amplitude dependent upon the frequency of the control tone applied thereto, a first electronic switching device coupled to said first filter and responsive to a signal from said first filter exceeding the threshold of said first switching device to provide a DC voltage of fixed value independent of the amount by which the amplitude of the signal from said first filter exceeds said threshold level, a first delay circuit coupled to said first electronic switching device and operative to produce at its output a first control signal only when the first control tone has persisted for a predetermined fixed duration, a second filter coupled to said input circuit and tuned to the frequency of the second control tone and providing a signal which has an amplitude dependent upon the frequency of the control tone applied thereto, a second electronic switching device coupled to said first delay circuit and to said second filter and responsive to both said first control signal and to a signal exceeding the threshold level of said second switching device to provide a DC voltage of fixed value and independent of the amount by which the amplitude of the signal from said second filter exceeds said threshold level, a second delay circuit coupled to said second electronic switching device and operative to produce at its output a second control signal only when the second control tone has persisted for a predetermined fixed duration, and a control signal utilization circuit coupled to said second delay circuit for utilizing said second control signal.

Claim 24

A communication receiver for responding to a sequence of first and second control tones, said receiver comprising an input circuit for receiving the control tones, a first filter coupled to said input circuit and tuned to the frequency of the first control tone and providing a signal which has an amplitude dependent upon the frequency of the control tone applied thereto, a first electronic switching device coupled to said first filter and responsive to a signal from said first filter exceeding the threshold of said first switching device to provide a DC voltage of fixed value independent of the amount by which the amplitude of the signal from said first filter exceeds said threshold level, a first delay circuit coupled to said first electronic switching device and operative to produce at its output a first control signal only when the first control tone has persisted for a predetermined fixed duration, a second filter coupled to said input circuit and tuned to the frequency of the second control tone and providing a signal which has an amplitude dependent upon the frequency of the control tone applied thereto, a second electronic switching device coupled to said first delay circuit and to said second filter and responsive to both said first control signal and to a signal exceeding the threshold level of said second switching device to provide a DC voltage of fixed value and independent of the amount by which the amplitude of the signal from said second filter exceeds said threshold level, a second delay circuit coupled to said second electronic switching device and operative to produce at its output a second control signal only when the second control tone has persisted for a predetermined fixed duration, and a control signal utilization circuit coupled to said second delay circuit for utilizing said second control signal.

Claim 25

The communication receiver set forth in claim 22, wherein each of said electronic switching devices is a transistor means having its base coupled to the associated filter and having its collector and emitter coupled to the associated delay circuit.

Claim 26

The communication receiver set forth in claim 22, wherein each of said delay circuits includes a capacitor and resistor coupled in series across the output of the associated electronic switching device, and the output of each delay circuit is the junction of the resistor and capacitor.

Claim 27

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by the input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said output signals to said control inputs, and means coupling the output of the last of said AND circuits to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 28

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by the input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said output signals to said control inputs, and means coupling the output of the last of said AND circuits to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 29

The tone control circuit set forth in 25, and further comprising a plurality of delay circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and coupled respectively between said AND circuits, the last of said delay circuits being coupled between the last of said AND circuits and said output signal utilization circuit, each of said delay circuits being operative to produce an output signal only when the associated control tone has persisted for a predetermined duration.

Claim 30

The tone control circuit set forth in 25, and further comprising a plurality of delay circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and coupled respectively between said AND circuits, the last of said delay circuits being coupled between the last of said AND circuits and said output signal utilization circuit, each of said delay circuits being operative to produce an output signal only when the associated control tone has persisted for a predetermined duration.

Claim 31

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising first filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said first filter means to predetermined frequencies, second filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said second filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said first filter means and to the first input of the First of said AND circuits, said first filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said first filter means to the second input of said first AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding odd-numbered ANd circuit, means coupling the output of said second filter means to the second input of said second AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs respectively of said first AND circuit and of each succeeding odd-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said second filter means, means coupling the outputs respectively of said second AND circuit and of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said first filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from the associated filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said first and second filter means alternately being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit by the sequential application to said control inputs of said output signals, and means coupling the output of the last of said AND circuits to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 32

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising first filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said first filter means to predetermined frequencies, second filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said second filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said first filter means and to the first input of the First of said AND circuits, said first filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said first filter means to the second input of said first AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding odd-numbered ANd circuit, means coupling the output of said second filter means to the second input of said second AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs respectively of said first AND circuit and of each succeeding odd-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said second filter means, means coupling the outputs respectively of said second AND circuit and of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said first filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from the associated filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said first and second filter means alternately being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit by the sequential application to said control inputs of said output signals, and means coupling the output of the last of said AND circuits to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 33

The tone control circuit set forth in 27 and further comprising a first rectifier circuit coupled between said first filter means and the second input of each odd-numbered AND circuit, and a second rectifier circuit coupled between said second filter means and the second input of each even-numbered AND circuit.

Claim 34

The tone control circuit set forth in 27 and further comprising a first rectifier circuit coupled between said first filter means and the second input of each odd-numbered AND circuit, and a second rectifier circuit coupled between said second filter means and the second input of each even-numbered AND circuit.

Claim 35

The tone control circuit set forth in claim 27, wherein the output of said third AND circuit and the output of each succeeding odd-numbered AND circuit is coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom at least during the presence of said third control tone and during the presence of each succeeding odd-numbered control tone.

Claim 36

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including a DC voltage utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for produCing at the output thereof an output signal, a plurality of electronic switching circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having an input and output, the output of said first AND circuit being coupled to the input of the first of said electronic switching circuits and the output of each succeeding one of said AND circuits being respectively coupled to the input of the next succeeding one of said electronic switching circuits, the output of said first electronic switching circuit being coupled to the first input of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding one of said electronic switching circuits being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding one of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, said first electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from said first AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the DC voltage from the next preceding electronic switching circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said second electronic switching circuit and each succeeding electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by the input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said DC voltages to said control inputs, and means coupling the output of the last of said electronic switching circuits to the DC voltage utilization of the receiver.

Claim 37

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including a DC voltage utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for produCing at the output thereof an output signal, a plurality of electronic switching circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having an input and output, the output of said first AND circuit being coupled to the input of the first of said electronic switching circuits and the output of each succeeding one of said AND circuits being respectively coupled to the input of the next succeeding one of said electronic switching circuits, the output of said first electronic switching circuit being coupled to the first input of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding one of said electronic switching circuits being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding one of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, said first electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from said first AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the DC voltage from the next preceding electronic switching circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said second electronic switching circuit and each succeeding electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by the input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said DC voltages to said control inputs, and means coupling the output of the last of said electronic switching circuits to the DC voltage utilization of the receiver.

Claim 38

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including a DC voltage utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means respectively to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tones, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said first AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the applications thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, a plurality of electronic switching circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having an input and output, the output of said first AND circuit being coupled to the input of the first of said electronic switching circuits and the output of each succeeding one of said AND circuits being respectively coupled to the input of the next succeeding one of said electronic switching circuits, the output of said first electronic switching circuit being coupled to the first input of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding one of said electroniC switching circuits being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding one of said AND circuits, means coupling the outputs of said electronic switching circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, said first electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from said first AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the DC voltage from the next preceding electronic switching circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof and output signal, said second electronic switching circuit and each succeeding electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, the output of said second AND circuit and the output of each succeeding one of said AND circuits being coupled respectively to an input of the next preceding one of said electronic switching circuits to enable each of said electronic switching circuits to continue to produce said DC voltage as long as the associated control tone is being applied to the next succeeding one of said AND circuits, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said output signals to said control inputs, and means coupling the output of the last of said electronic switching circuits to the DC voltage utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 39

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including a DC voltage utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means respectively to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tones, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said first AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the applications thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, a plurality of electronic switching circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having an input and output, the output of said first AND circuit being coupled to the input of the first of said electronic switching circuits and the output of each succeeding one of said AND circuits being respectively coupled to the input of the next succeeding one of said electronic switching circuits, the output of said first electronic switching circuit being coupled to the first input of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding one of said electroniC switching circuits being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding one of said AND circuits, means coupling the outputs of said electronic switching circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, said first electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from said first AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the DC voltage from the next preceding electronic switching circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof and output signal, said second electronic switching circuit and each succeeding electronic switching circuit being responsive to the application thereto of the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit for producing at the output thereof a DC voltage, the output of said second AND circuit and the output of each succeeding one of said AND circuits being coupled respectively to an input of the next preceding one of said electronic switching circuits to enable each of said electronic switching circuits to continue to produce said DC voltage as long as the associated control tone is being applied to the next succeeding one of said AND circuits, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said output signals to said control inputs, and means coupling the output of the last of said electronic switching circuits to the DC voltage utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 40

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising first filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a first frequency determining element having a plurality of inputs thereto, a plurality of electronic switching devices coupled respectively to the inputs of said first frequency-determining element, second filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a second frequency-determining element having a plurality of inputs thereto, a plurality of electronic switching devices coupled respectively to the inputs of said second frequency-determining element, each of said electronic switching devices being closed by the application thereto of a signal to couple in circuit a portion of the associated frequency-determining element and thereby tune the associated filter means to a predetermined frequency, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to the control inputs of said first filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said first filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said first filter means to the second input of said first AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding odd-numbered AND circuit, means coupling the output of said second filter means to the second input of said second AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof An output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuits, means coupling the outputs respectively of said first AND circuit and of each succeeding odd-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said second filter means, means coupling the outputs respectively of said second AND circuit and of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said first filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from the associated filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said first and second filter means alternately being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit by the sequential application to said control inputs of said output signals, and means coupling the output of the last of said AND circuits to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 41

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising first filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a first frequency determining element having a plurality of inputs thereto, a plurality of electronic switching devices coupled respectively to the inputs of said first frequency-determining element, second filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a second frequency-determining element having a plurality of inputs thereto, a plurality of electronic switching devices coupled respectively to the inputs of said second frequency-determining element, each of said electronic switching devices being closed by the application thereto of a signal to couple in circuit a portion of the associated frequency-determining element and thereby tune the associated filter means to a predetermined frequency, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to the control inputs of said first filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said first filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said first filter means to the second input of said first AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding odd-numbered AND circuit, means coupling the output of said second filter means to the second input of said second AND circuit and to the second input of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof An output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuits, means coupling the outputs respectively of said first AND circuit and of each succeeding odd-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said second filter means, means coupling the outputs respectively of said second AND circuit and of each succeeding even-numbered AND circuit respectively to the control inputs of said first filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from the associated filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said first and second filter means alternately being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit by the sequential application to said control inputs of said output signals, and means coupling the output of the last of said AND circuits to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 42

The tone control circuit set forth in claim 32, wherein each of said frequency-determining elements is a tapped inductor.

Claim 43

In a communication receiver for receiving signals including intelligence and a sequence of control tones, a receiver comprising an input circuit which provides the signals including the intelligence and the sequence of control tones, a translating circuit coupled to said input circuit for translating the intelligence into useful form, an output control circuit coupled to said translating circuit and effective in a first condition thereof to render said translating circuit inoperative and effective in a second condition thereof to render said translating circuit operative, filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means respectively to predetermined frequencies a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit in accordance with the sequential applIcation of said output signals to said control inputs, and means for applying the output signal from the last of said AND circuits to said output control circuit from the first condition thereof to the second condition thereof so as to render said translating circuit operative.

Claim 44

In a communication receiver for receiving signals including intelligence and a sequence of control tones, a receiver comprising an input circuit which provides the signals including the intelligence and the sequence of control tones, a translating circuit coupled to said input circuit for translating the intelligence into useful form, an output control circuit coupled to said translating circuit and effective in a first condition thereof to render said translating circuit inoperative and effective in a second condition thereof to render said translating circuit operative, filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means respectively to predetermined frequencies a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an output signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit in accordance with the sequential applIcation of said output signals to said control inputs, and means for applying the output signal from the last of said AND circuits to said output control circuit from the first condition thereof to the second condition thereof so as to render said translating circuit operative.

Claim 45

A communication system comprising a transmitter including a tone-generating circuit for generating tones selected from a first group of tones in a first band of frequencies and for generating tones selected from a second group of tones in a second band of frequencies separate and distinct from said first band of frequencies, said tone-generating circuit generating a sequence of control tones alternately selected from said first and second groups of tones, and a transmitter output circuit coupled to said tone-generating circuit for transmitting signals corresponding to the sequence of control tones to be transmitted; and a receiver including an input circuit for receiving the signals from said transmitter, filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an input signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said output signals to said control inputs, and an output signal utilization circuit coupled to the output of the last of said AND circuit for utilizing the output signal therefrom.

Claim 46

A communication system comprising a transmitter including a tone-generating circuit for generating tones selected from a first group of tones in a first band of frequencies and for generating tones selected from a second group of tones in a second band of frequencies separate and distinct from said first band of frequencies, said tone-generating circuit generating a sequence of control tones alternately selected from said first and second groups of tones, and a transmitter output circuit coupled to said tone-generating circuit for transmitting signals corresponding to the sequence of control tones to be transmitted; and a receiver including an input circuit for receiving the signals from said transmitter, filter means coupled to the input circuit and having a plurality of control inputs for receiving one at a time signals selectively to tune said filter means to predetermined frequencies, a plurality of AND circuits corresponding in number to the number of control tones in the sequence of control tones and each having first and second inputs and an output, control means for providing at the output thereof a control signal during reception of the first control tone in the sequence of control tones, the output of said control means being coupled to one of the control inputs of said filter means and to the first input of the first of said AND circuits, said filter means being responsive to the application of the control signal from said control means to be tuned to the frequency of said first control tone, means coupling the output of said filter means to the second input of each of said AND circuits, said first AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the control signal from said control means and said first control tone for producing at the output thereof an input signal, the output of said first AND circuit and the output of each succeeding AND circuit being coupled respectively to the first input of the next succeeding AND circuit, means coupling the outputs of said AND circuits respectively to the control inputs of said filter means, means coupled to said control means for removing the control signal therefrom after termination of said first control tone, said second AND circuit and each succeeding AND circuit being responsive to the application thereto of both the output signal from the next preceding AND circuit and the associated control tone in the sequence of control tones from said filter means for producing at the output thereof an output signal, said filter means sequentially being tuned to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by said input circuit in accordance with the sequential application of said output signals to said control inputs, and an output signal utilization circuit coupled to the output of the last of said AND circuit for utilizing the output signal therefrom.

Claim 47

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a control tone and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a first frequency-determining element having a plurality of taps thereon and a second frequency-determining element, a connector plug including first and second and third portions, said first portion having a plurality of terminals thereon fixedly coupled respectively to the taps on said first frequency-determining element, said second portion having a terminal fixedly coupled to said second frequency-determining element, said third portion having a plurality of first terminals respectively matable with the terminals in said first portion and having a second terminal matable with the termiNal in said second portion, means associated with said third portion connecting said first terminal to a selected one of said second terminals, whereby mating said third portions with said first and second portions operates to connect a selected section of said first frequency-determining element in circuit with said second frequency-determining element and thereby tune said filter means to the frequency of the control tone, an output circuit coupled to said filter means and responsive to the control tone being coupled therethrough to provide an output signal, and means coupling the output of said output circuit to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 48

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a control tone and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a first frequency-determining element having a plurality of taps thereon and a second frequency-determining element, a connector plug including first and second and third portions, said first portion having a plurality of terminals thereon fixedly coupled respectively to the taps on said first frequency-determining element, said second portion having a terminal fixedly coupled to said second frequency-determining element, said third portion having a plurality of first terminals respectively matable with the terminals in said first portion and having a second terminal matable with the termiNal in said second portion, means associated with said third portion connecting said first terminal to a selected one of said second terminals, whereby mating said third portions with said first and second portions operates to connect a selected section of said first frequency-determining element in circuit with said second frequency-determining element and thereby tune said filter means to the frequency of the control tone, an output circuit coupled to said filter means and responsive to the control tone being coupled therethrough to provide an output signal, and means coupling the output of said output circuit to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 49

The tone control circuit set forth in claim 36, wherein said first frequency-determining element is an inductor and said second frequency-determining element is a capacitor.

Claim 50

The tone control circuit set forth in claim 36, wherein said first frequency-determining element is an inductor and said second frequency-determining element is a capacitor, one terminal of said capacitor being fixedly coupled to one terminal of said inductor and said connector plug being operative to connect the other terminal of said capacitor to a tap on said inductor so as to define a parallel resonant circuit.

Claim 51

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a first frequency-determining element having a plurality of taps thereon and a second frequency-determining element, a set of electronic switching devices each having a control input and one terminal coupled to said second frequency-determining element, a connector plug including first and second and third portions, said first section having a plurality of terminals thereon fixedly coupled respectively to the taps on said first frequency-determining element said second portion having a corresponding set of terminals respectively fixedly coupled to the other terminals of said electronic switching devices, said third portion having a plurality of first terminals respectively matable with the terminals in said first portion and a set of second terminals respectively matable with the terminals in said first portion, means associated with said third portion for connecting selected ones of said first terminals respectively to selected ones of said second terminals, whereby mating said third portion with said first and second portions enables said electronic switching devices respectively to couple selected sections of said second frequency-determining element in circuit with said first frequency-determining element, an output circuit having an input coupled to said filter means and having a plurality of outputs respectively coupled to the control inputs of said electronic switching devices, said electronic switching devices sequentially being closed by the application of signals from said output circuit to said control inputs sequentially to tune said filter means to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by the input circuit, and means coupling the output which is responsive to the last tone in the sequence of control tones to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 52

A tone control circuit for use in a communication receiver including an input circuit which provides a sequence of control tones and including an output signal utilization circuit, said tone control circuit comprising filter means coupled to the input circuit and including a first frequency-determining element having a plurality of taps thereon and a second frequency-determining element, a set of electronic switching devices each having a control input and one terminal coupled to said second frequency-determining element, a connector plug including first and second and third portions, said first section having a plurality of terminals thereon fixedly coupled respectively to the taps on said first frequency-determining element said second portion having a corresponding set of terminals respectively fixedly coupled to the other terminals of said electronic switching devices, said third portion having a plurality of first terminals respectively matable with the terminals in said first portion and a set of second terminals respectively matable with the terminals in said first portion, means associated with said third portion for connecting selected ones of said first terminals respectively to selected ones of said second terminals, whereby mating said third portion with said first and second portions enables said electronic switching devices respectively to couple selected sections of said second frequency-determining element in circuit with said first frequency-determining element, an output circuit having an input coupled to said filter means and having a plurality of outputs respectively coupled to the control inputs of said electronic switching devices, said electronic switching devices sequentially being closed by the application of signals from said output circuit to said control inputs sequentially to tune said filter means to the frequencies of the control tones as they are received by the input circuit, and means coupling the output which is responsive to the last tone in the sequence of control tones to the output signal utilization circuit of the receiver.

Claim 53

The tone control circuit set forth in claim 39, wherein each of said electronic switching devices is a transistor means having a base which is said control input and a pair of output electrodes in the form of a collector and an emitter, one of said output electrodes being coupled to the associated tap and the other of said output electrodes being coupled to said second frequency determining element.