US3864527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intercommunication system using controlled gates
Assignee: KNOX JAMES HENRY
•
Filing: 1972-12-08
•
Granted: 1975-02-04
•
Expires: 1992-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A three port controlled gate and an intercommunication system incorporating the gate are disclosed. The gate is so formed that the control signals for opening the gate can be applied to the same port of the gate as the information signals to be passed therethrough, and in the most simple form comprises two diodes placed in opposition, the signals being applied to one of the free terminals and the output being taken from the other free terminal. The intercommunication system incorporating the gate utilises only three lines to interconnect the stations, one line to carry the gate opening signals, and the information signals, and two lines to carry the power to the stations.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Topping
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M9/00; H04M9/001; H04M11/00; H04M11/02; H04M11/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A network incorporating a plurality of three port controlled gates each comprising respective first and second unidirectionally conductive elements connected together with their conduction Directions in opposition, respective first biasing means biasing said first unidirectionally conductive elements to their conduction states, each by a different selected voltage, a common signal line interconnecting all said second unidirectionally conductive elements, means for applying signals to said common signal line, and adjustable second biasing means for applying a selected voltage to said common signal line, whereby signals applied to said common signal line by said signals applying means are passed by whichever of said controlled gates has a first unidirectionally conductive element biased, by the associated said first biasing means, by a voltage matching that of said selected voltage applied by said second biasing means, the remaining gates blocking said signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A network incorporating a plurality of three port controlled gates each comprising respective first and second unidirectionally conductive elements connected together with their conduction Directions in opposition, respective first biasing means biasing said first unidirectionally conductive elements to their conduction states, each by a different selected voltage, a common signal line interconnecting all said second unidirectionally conductive elements, means for applying signals to said common signal line, and adjustable second biasing means for applying a selected voltage to said common signal line, whereby signals applied to said common signal line by said signals applying means are passed by whichever of said controlled gates has a first unidirectionally conductive element biased, by the associated said first biasing means, by a voltage matching that of said selected voltage applied by said second biasing means, the remaining gates blocking said signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The network of claim 1 wherein said plurality of controlled gates are each coupled to respective amplifiers and associated acoustic transducers of representive stations of an intercommunication system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The intercommunication system of claim 2 wherein each said station includes adjustable biasing means for applying a selected biasing voltage to said common line such that signals impressed on said common line via said acoustic transducer of said station are passed by the controlled gate of a selected one of the other stations of said system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The intercommunication system of claim 3 wherein each said station includes a second three port controlled gate operative as a page gate, means biasing said page gates of all said stations by the same voltage such that when this voltage is impressed on said common line all said page gates pass signals impressed on said common line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The intercommunication system of claim 3 wherein at least some stations are provided with means sensitive to the voltage on said common line, said voltage sensitive means operating to indicate when a working voltage is applied to said common line to provide a line busy indication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
The intercommunication system of claim 3 wherein each station includes a ganged switch interconnecting said common line, said three port controlled gate of the station, and said adjustable biasing means of said station, said ganged switch having a first position wherein said station is in a receive mode in which said common line is connected to said three port controlled gate, and said three port controlled gate is connected to said amplifier, and a second position wherein said station is in a transmit mode, in which said three port controlled gate is short circuited, and said adjustable biasing means are connected directly to said common line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The intercommunication system of claim 6 wherein said ganged switch of each station is also connected to said amplifier of said station and said acoustic tranducer of said station, whereby in said first position said acoustic transducer is coupled to the output of said amplifier and said input of said amplifier is coupled to said common line, and in said second position said acoustic transducer is coupled to said input of said amplifier and said output of said amplifier is coupled to said common line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The intercommunication system of claim 3 wherein said adjustable biasing means of each station comprises a chain of resistors connected to the power source of said system, and a plurality of contacts for connecting a selected number of said resistors in series with said common line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The intercommunication system of claim 5 wherein said voltage sensitive line busy indicator comprises a voltage discriminator connected to said common line and to an indicator light which is illuminated when an operating voltage is applied to said common line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The intercommunication system of claim 2 wherein there are provided means for applying a scanning waveform to said common signal line, the amplitude of said waveform encompassing the range of different biasing voltages of said plurality of controlled gates of said stations whereby each gate is biased at least once tO its operating voltage during each cycle of said scanning waveform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intercommunication system of claim 10 wherein said scanning waveform applying means operates to produce a triangular waveform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The intercommunication system of claim 10 wherein each said station is provided with paging means for transmitting a paging signal, comprising means for coupling said acoustic transducer and said associated amplifier of said station to said common line whereby said paging signal is distributed at all said voltage levels of said scanning waveform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The intercommunication system of claim 10 wherein each said station includes filter means, and means coupling said filter between said three port controlled gate of said station and said associated acoustic transducer means of said station when said station is in said receive mode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3175045A
Cited
US3230397A
Cited
US3522450A
Cited
US3531594A
Cited
US3641365A
Cited
US3737672A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |