US3821705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data communication system and apparatus
Assignee: Concord Computing Corp
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Filing: 1972-10-12
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1992-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A system for interrogating a computer via telephone lines from a number of dispersed inquiry locations included on a party line. The system has a keyboard, a tone pair oscillator and an idle tone recognition circuit. Digital entries are made and stored at the terminal and, when the message has been completely entered, it is transmitted in tone pair code only if the terminal senses an idle tone indicating that the party line is available. At a local sub-station the initial tone pair code halts the generation of the idle tone for that party line and the total message is transmitted over trunk lines in digital bit form to the central computer. The computer reply is transmitted back in the same form to the city sub-station where it is converted through a voice response unit to a voice message for transmission along the party line to the originating terminal which includes a standard telephone receiver. The remainder of the terminals on this party line are inhibited from receiving this voice response.
Inventors
- 👤 A Chertok
- 👤 T Gillette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:34
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/403; G06Q20/4037; H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
356 words
A system for communicating between a plurality of dispersed inquiry locations and a central computer comprising: a plurality of inquiry terminals, each located at one of said dispersed inquiry locations, a terminal distribution sub-system, a first communication data channel connecting said terminal distribution sub-system to said computer and a second voice communication channel for connecting each of said terminals to said terminal distribution sub-system, said terminal distribution sub-system including, transmission means for receiving Touch-Tone signals from said second voice communication channel and for retransmitting said signals in binary form along said first communication data channel to said computer, a voice response receiver for receiving binary signals from said computer along said first communication channel, converting said binary received signals into voice messages and retransmitting said voice messages along said second voice communication channel, signal generating means for generating along said second voice communication channel a specified channel status signal, each of said terminals including, data entry means for entering and storing a data message, receiver means for receiving said voice messages and producing an audio output in response thereto, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence on said second voice communication channel of said specified channel status signal generated at said terminal distribution sub-system, and connection means responsive to the detection of said specified channel status signal and to a complete data message stored in said data entry means for transmitting signals representing said entered data message from said terminal along said second communication voice channel to said terminal distribution subunit, said terminal distribution sub-system signal generator responding to the initial signal in any transmitted data message from any one of said terminals by inhibiting the generation of said specified channel status signal along said second communication channel until said receiver unit of said terminal distribution sub-system receiver unit has completed the generation of a voice message in response to said entered data, each of said terminal connection means being responsive to the absence of said specified signal from said second communication channel to disconnect its terminal from said channel unless said absence has resulted from the transmission of a data message from that terminal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
356 words
A system for communicating between a plurality of dispersed inquiry locations and a central computer comprising: a plurality of inquiry terminals, each located at one of said dispersed inquiry locations, a terminal distribution sub-system, a first communication data channel connecting said terminal distribution sub-system to said computer and a second voice communication channel for connecting each of said terminals to said terminal distribution sub-system, said terminal distribution sub-system including, transmission means for receiving Touch-Tone signals from said second voice communication channel and for retransmitting said signals in binary form along said first communication data channel to said computer, a voice response receiver for receiving binary signals from said computer along said first communication channel, converting said binary received signals into voice messages and retransmitting said voice messages along said second voice communication channel, signal generating means for generating along said second voice communication channel a specified channel status signal, each of said terminals including, data entry means for entering and storing a data message, receiver means for receiving said voice messages and producing an audio output in response thereto, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence on said second voice communication channel of said specified channel status signal generated at said terminal distribution sub-system, and connection means responsive to the detection of said specified channel status signal and to a complete data message stored in said data entry means for transmitting signals representing said entered data message from said terminal along said second communication voice channel to said terminal distribution subunit, said terminal distribution sub-system signal generator responding to the initial signal in any transmitted data message from any one of said terminals by inhibiting the generation of said specified channel status signal along said second communication channel until said receiver unit of said terminal distribution sub-system receiver unit has completed the generation of a voice message in response to said entered data, each of said terminal connection means being responsive to the absence of said specified signal from said second communication channel to disconnect its terminal from said channel unless said absence has resulted from the transmission of a data message from that terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second communication channels are telephone lines, said second communication channel being a party telephone line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said data entry means comprises a keyboard including keys representing each of the decimal digits and an additional key to be actuated to signal the end of the data message being entered, said connection means including a tone pair signal generator for generating signal pairs under the control of signals from said data entry means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said signal generating means generates a signal of predetermined frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |