Patent US3725602A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3725602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine control by acoustic energy
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-28
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1990-12-28
Abstract
Abstract Machine control is effected by the application of voiced commands or other acoustic energy to a transducer to coincide in time with one of a plurality of indicia being displayed sequentially by a clock-driven indicator. The encoded electrical output achieved thereby is utilized to actuate machine control switching apparatus such as a telephone dial and switchhook. Initiating forces other than acoustic, for example the manual closing of a single switch encoded in terms of time and duration of operation, may alternatively be employed in combination with the clock-driven indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 C Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
Acoustically operated machine control apparatus comprising, in combination, first means for indicating sequentially each of a series of time intervals each corresponding to a respective preselected indicia, second means responsive to an acoustic energy burst for generating a corresponding electrical signal, third means responsive to a substantially coincident combination between one of said intervals and said signal for generating an encoded sIgnal corresponding to that one of said indicia indicated by said last named interval, and utilization means uniquely and operatively responsive to each respective one of said encoded signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
Acoustically operated machine control apparatus comprising, in combination, first means for indicating sequentially each of a series of time intervals each corresponding to a respective preselected indicia, second means responsive to an acoustic energy burst for generating a corresponding electrical signal, third means responsive to a substantially coincident combination between one of said intervals and said signal for generating an encoded sIgnal corresponding to that one of said indicia indicated by said last named interval, and utilization means uniquely and operatively responsive to each respective one of said encoded signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said utilization means comprises a telephone set dial and wherein said dial generates dial signals each corresponding to said last named output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first means comprises a clock pulse generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said third means comprises a visual indicator sequentially displaying by illumination each of the digits corresponding to a telephone set dial under the control of said clock pulse generator, and means responsive to one of said electrical signals for arresting the operation of said clock generator for some preselected period whereby visual feedback of the registration of one of said indicia is provided by the prolonged illumination of a corresponding one of said digits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said utilization means further includes means for translating the output of said third means into dial switch actuating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 including means responsive to the registration of a preselected code in terms of a particular combination of digits for placing said telephone in an on or off-hook condition depending on the particular operating mode of said telephone set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
An acoustically operated telephone set comprising, in combination, a clock driven display of sequentially illuminated digits, each being normally illuminated for a preselected period, means responsive to a burst of acoustic energy coinciding substantially in time with one of said periods for registering an electrical signal indicative of the digit thus designated, means for translating each of said registered signals into a dial switch actuating signal, and means for applying each of said actuating signals to operate a dial signal generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
An acoustically operated telephone set comprising, in combination, a clock driven display of sequentially illuminated digits, each being normally illuminated for a preselected period, means responsive to a burst of acoustic energy coinciding substantially in time with one of said periods for registering an electrical signal indicative of the digit thus designated, means for translating each of said registered signals into a dial switch actuating signal, and means for applying each of said actuating signals to operate a dial signal generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including means responsive to the registration of a preselected combination of said digits through the application of acoustic energy bursts for placing said set in an on-hook or in an off-hook mode dependent upon the existing operational mode of said set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including additional visual feedback means indicative of the registration of one of said digits comprising a signal actuated by one of said bursts exceeding a preselected level, and means for prolonging the illuminated period of any of said digits registered.
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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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |