Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
346 words
A telephone communication system for the hearing impaired, the system having at least two communication stations, each station comprising: an acoustic coupler for operating with a telephone receiver; means connected to the coupler output for generating electrical message signals in response to a telephone message received from another station; means connected to the output of the generating means for encoding the electrical message signals into an electrically coded signal; means connected to the output of the encoding means to translate the coded signals into signals representing a plurality of respective character dot matrices; circuit means for connecting the translated matrix signals to a signal mixer where a carrier signal is modulated by the translated signals; means for connecting vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals to the mixer; means connected to the output of the mixer for converting the mixed signal to the RF region; output means connected to the output of the converting means to permit direct connection of the system to the antenna of a conventional TV; whereby a row by row display of the received message can be effected; a keyboard for entering a message at one station to be transmitted to the other station; means connected to the keyboard for encoding the message in the form of a coded signal; means connected to the encoding means and responsive to the coded signal for generating audio tones, coupled by the acoustic coupler, to a telephone for transmitting the message to the other station; counter means for monitoring utilization of the keyboard as the keyboard is actuated, as well as the elapsed time said one station is in actual use and power is on; means connected to the output of the counter means for indicaTing to the user a first count condition; means connected to the output of the acoustic coupler and responsive to receipt of a special reset code from another party, for resetting the counter means; and means connected to the counter means for disabling said one station''s output means if the reset does not occur and the counter reaches a second count condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
346 words
A telephone communication system for the hearing impaired, the system having at least two communication stations, each station comprising: an acoustic coupler for operating with a telephone receiver; means connected to the coupler output for generating electrical message signals in response to a telephone message received from another station; means connected to the output of the generating means for encoding the electrical message signals into an electrically coded signal; means connected to the output of the encoding means to translate the coded signals into signals representing a plurality of respective character dot matrices; circuit means for connecting the translated matrix signals to a signal mixer where a carrier signal is modulated by the translated signals; means for connecting vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals to the mixer; means connected to the output of the mixer for converting the mixed signal to the RF region; output means connected to the output of the converting means to permit direct connection of the system to the antenna of a conventional TV; whereby a row by row display of the received message can be effected; a keyboard for entering a message at one station to be transmitted to the other station; means connected to the keyboard for encoding the message in the form of a coded signal; means connected to the encoding means and responsive to the coded signal for generating audio tones, coupled by the acoustic coupler, to a telephone for transmitting the message to the other station; counter means for monitoring utilization of the keyboard as the keyboard is actuated, as well as the elapsed time said one station is in actual use and power is on; means connected to the output of the counter means for indicaTing to the user a first count condition; means connected to the output of the acoustic coupler and responsive to receipt of a special reset code from another party, for resetting the counter means; and means connected to the counter means for disabling said one station''s output means if the reset does not occur and the counter reaches a second count condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the counter means is incremented by OR gating of key strokes from the keyboard and the output from a relatively low frequency oscillator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein circuit means are connected between the keyboard and an external tape recorder for effecting the recording of a message as it is entered on the keyboard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The circuitry set forth in claim 1 wherein circuit means are connected between the means for generating electric message signals and an external tape recorder for recording all communication transmitted and received at a station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure defined in claim 4 together with means for detecting the connection of a tape recorder in the system at said one station and issuing a visual warning thereof at said other station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The circuitry stated in claim 1 together with indicator means connected in circuit with the output of the acoustic coupler for visually indicating the condition of the phone lines when a call is being placed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
The structure defined in claim 2 wherein the counter means includes: a first gate having one input connected to the keys of the keyboard; a second input connected to the low frequency oscillator, whereby a pulse at either input turns the gate on; a binary counter responding to the gate each time it turns on; a second gate connected to the output of the counter for actuation when a first preselected count is obtained; indicator means connected to the second gate to indicate when the first preselected count is attained; a third gate connected to the output of the counter for actuation when a second preselected count is attained; another indicator means connected to the third gate to indicate when the second preselected count is attained; and a reset line connected to the counter for resetting the counter to its starting count.