Patent US3780225A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3780225A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tactile communication attachment
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-01-03
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A tactile communication device including a responsive grip attachment and a control unit which are electro-mechanical in operation and are intended to be used at least in pairs, to establish or permit tactile communication between two or more parties. The two devices form a closed loop feedback control system whose output to each party is the pressure and volume variations of the responsive grip attachment experienced by both parties.
Inventors
- 👤 T Shannon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/247; H04M1/2474; H04M1/2475
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A tactile communication device which when used in pairs and coupled into a two-way communication system permits tactile communication between two stations via said communication system comprising, in combination: pressure grip means; and a control unit coupled to said pressure grip means and into said communication system, said control unit comprising positional information signal generating means having an output frequency coupled into said communication system for generating positional information signals, said positional information signal generating means being operated by said pressure grip means and the output frequency thereof being varied in accordance with the pressure exerted by a person at said station on said pressure grip means; position summing means operated by said pressure grip means; first and second frequency discriminator means for receiving positional information signals from another station in said communication system and from said positional information signal generating means respectively and providing an output signal whose magnitude varies directly with frequency, the output signals of said first and second frequency discriminating means both being coupled to said position summing means and the latter providing an output signal whose magnitude is proportional to the difference between said two positional information signals to thereby increase or decrease the pressure of said pressure grip means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A tactile communication device which when used in pairs and coupled into a two-way communication system permits tactile communication between two stations via said communication system comprising, in combination: pressure grip means; and a control unit coupled to said pressure grip means and into said communication system, said control unit comprising positional information signal generating means having an output frequency coupled into said communication system for generating positional information signals, said positional information signal generating means being operated by said pressure grip means and the output frequency thereof being varied in accordance with the pressure exerted by a person at said station on said pressure grip means; position summing means operated by said pressure grip means; first and second frequency discriminator means for receiving positional information signals from another station in said communication system and from said positional information signal generating means respectively and providing an output signal whose magnitude varies directly with frequency, the output signals of said first and second frequency discriminating means both being coupled to said position summing means and the latter providing an output signal whose magnitude is proportional to the difference between said two positional information signals to thereby increase or decrease the pressure of said pressure grip means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tactile communication device of claim 1, wherein said pressure grip means comprises a fluid-filled compressible member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
The tactile communication device of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises an actuator unit including a solenoid having a plunger, a bellows affixed to said plunger and coupled to said pressure grip means, said pressure grip means comprising a fluid-filled compressible member, said positional information signal generating means comprising a frequency modulated oscillator including a frequency determining inductor having a movable slug affixed to said plunger, whereby said movable slug is moved by said plunger when pressure is exerted upon said fluid-filled compressible member to vary the frequency of said frequency modulated oscillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The tactile communication device of claim 1, wherein said positional information signal generating means generates positional information signals in a high or a low frequency band depending upon which of said two stations initiates a call, the output frequency thereof in said high and low frequency bands being varied in accordance with the pressure exerted by a person on said pressure grip means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The tactile communication device of claim 1, wherein said positional information signal generating means comprises a frequency modulated oscillator having a center frequency, said pressure grip means being operable to vary the frequency range of the output signal comprising said positional information signals within an established percentage range below and above said center frequency to provide said high frequency band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The tactile communication device of claim 5, wherein said positional information signal generating means further comprises frequency divider means adapted to be coupled to said frequency modulated oscillator to provide instead of said high frequency band a low frequency band having a center frequency, whereby said pressure grip means is operable to vary said low frequency band within an established range below and above said center frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The tactile communication system of claim 6, wherein said frequency modulated oscillator comprises a frequency determined inductor having a movable slug for varying the output frequency thereof, and wherein said pressure grip means is coupled to and operable to move said slug, to thereby cause said frequency modulated oscillator to generate an output signal proportional to the pressure exerted on said pressure grip means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The tactile communication device of claim 7, wherein said control unit comprises an actuator unit including a solenoid having a plunger, a bellows affixed to said plunger and coupled to said pressure grip means, said pressure grip means comprising a fluid-filled compressible member operable upon having pressure exerted thereto to operate said bellows to move said plunger, said movable slug being coupled to said plunger and moved thereby to vary the frequency of said frequency modulated oscillator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tactile communication device of claim 8, wherein said position summing means is coupled to and operable to operate said solenoid to move said plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
The tactile communication device of claim 1, wherein said two-way communication system comprises a telephone system including a telephone line and a telephone at each of said stations, and wherein said control unit further includes band pass filter means coupled between the output of said positional information signal generating means and said telephone line, and band reject filter means coupled between said telephone line and said telephone, whereby voice signal frequency components are prevented from interfering with said positional information signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The tactile communication device of claim 1, wherein said pressure grip means comprises spring means coupled to a slide actuator for moving said slide actuator in accordance with the pressure exerted on said spring means, the movement of said slide actuator being coupled to said positional information signal generating means and operating the latter to vary the output frequency thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
The tactile communication device of claim 11, wherein said positional information signal generating means comprises a frequency modulated oscillator including a frequency determining inductor having a movable slug for varying the frequency of said oscillator, a solenoid having a plunger having one end thereof coupled to said slide actuator and the other end thereof coupled to said movable slug, whereby pressure exerted on said spring means is operable to vary the frequency of said oscillator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tactile communication device of claim 12, wherein said position summing means is coupled to and operable to operate said solenoid to move said plunger.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |