US4007333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic call transmitter of the dual tone multifrequency type
Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-31
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Granted: 1977-02-08
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Expires: 1994-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An automatic call transmitter which uses a dual tone multifrequency generator first under the control of a pushbutton set to record, on a recording medium, a series of dual tones corresponding to a telephone number to be called, and which then uses this generator to regenerate pairs of voice frequencies corresponding to the recorded dual tones, under the control of switching means rendered frequency responsive by associated tuning means and selectively operated from the recorded tones upon playback to transmit the telephone number over a line. The automatic call transmitter may be in the form of a telephone reporting unit and the recording medium, such as an endless magnetic tape wound on a cartridge may also be used for recording and/or transmitting an oral message.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A. Marheine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/276
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
A telephone reporting unit comprising: record/playback means operable in both record and playback modes; signal generating means connected to said record/playback means; mode selection means including circuit connections to said signal generating means and to said record/playback means, initially operated manually to condition said record/playback means for operation in the record mode; initiating means connected to said record/playback means, initially operated manually to render said record/playback means operable; said signal generating means manually operated to generate at least one voice frequency signal; said record/playback means operated in reponse to said generated voice frequency signal to record said signal; switching means including circuit connections to said mode selection means; said mode selection means further operated manually, to condition said record/playback means for operation in the playback mode, to disconnect said signal generating means from said record/playback means, to connect said switching means to said signal generating means and connect said record/playback means to said switching means; said initiating means further operated to render said record/playback means operated in the playback mode; said switching means operated in response to said recorded signal to operate said signal generating means to generate a voice frequency signal of the same frequency as said recorded signal; and midcycle shift means connected to said signal generating means, and connected to a microphone, said midcycle shift means initially operated, when said record/playback means are in the record mode in response to termination of voice frequency signals from said signal generating means, to disconnect said generating means from said record/playback means and connect said microphone to said record/playback means, and further operated when said record/playback means is in the playback mode, in response to termination of voice frequency signals from said signal generating means, to disconnect said switching means from said record/playback means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
A telephone reporting unit comprising: record/playback means operable in both record and playback modes; signal generating means connected to said record/playback means; mode selection means including circuit connections to said signal generating means and to said record/playback means, initially operated manually to condition said record/playback means for operation in the record mode; initiating means connected to said record/playback means, initially operated manually to render said record/playback means operable; said signal generating means manually operated to generate at least one voice frequency signal; said record/playback means operated in reponse to said generated voice frequency signal to record said signal; switching means including circuit connections to said mode selection means; said mode selection means further operated manually, to condition said record/playback means for operation in the playback mode, to disconnect said signal generating means from said record/playback means, to connect said switching means to said signal generating means and connect said record/playback means to said switching means; said initiating means further operated to render said record/playback means operated in the playback mode; said switching means operated in response to said recorded signal to operate said signal generating means to generate a voice frequency signal of the same frequency as said recorded signal; and midcycle shift means connected to said signal generating means, and connected to a microphone, said midcycle shift means initially operated, when said record/playback means are in the record mode in response to termination of voice frequency signals from said signal generating means, to disconnect said generating means from said record/playback means and connect said microphone to said record/playback means, and further operated when said record/playback means is in the playback mode, in response to termination of voice frequency signals from said signal generating means, to disconnect said switching means from said record/playback means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A telephone reporting unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switching means comprise: at least one frequency responsive relay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A telephone reporting unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switching means comprise: at least one relay; and a filter connected between said relay and said record/playback means, said filter tuned to the same frequency as said recorded signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A telephone reporting unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said initiating means comprise: a relay connected to a manually operable associated switch and connectible to an external actuating circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A telephone reporting unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said record/playback means include: a magnetic tape; a tape drive mechanism; an amplifier including an input terminal and an output terminal, said amplifier input terminal initially connected to said signal generating means; a transducer in contact with said magnetic tape, initially connected to the output terminal of said amplifier, and in response to said mode selection means further operation said signal generating means disconnected from said amplifier input terminal and said transducer connected to said amplifier input terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A telephone reporting unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal generating means comprise: a multifrequency oscillator circuit; and a pushbutton controlled matrix connected to said oscillator for selectively operating said oscillator to generate selected voice frequency signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A telephone reporting unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further included: line coupling means connectible to a telephone line and initially connected to said record/playback means during said playback mode and disconnected from said record/playback means in response to operation of said midcycle shift means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A telephone reporting unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein there is further included: indicating means including circuit connections to said mode selection means and to said midcycle shift means, operable initially in response to said initial operation of said mode selection means to provide an indication that said signal generating means may be manually operated, and further operated in response to said midcycle shift means to provide an indication that said microphone may be used.
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) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |