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US4370519A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Autokey generator for secret communication system

Assignee: General Dynamics Corp
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Filing: 1949-12-06
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Granted: 1983-01-25
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Expires: 1969-12-06
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Abstract

Abstract 1. An autokey generator adapted for use in a secret communication system, comprising the combination of a source of binary digit pulse intelligence signals in digital mark-space from having a predetermined number of digital pulse intervals in each intelligence signal interval; a plurality of bistable switch means connected in sequence, each said switch means having a tripped state and a reset state, a source of reset signals connected to each of said switch means, said reset signals occurring at the end of each digit interval; means for tripping the first said switch means in response to the receipt of a mark pulse from said source of intelligence signals; means for setting each said switch means, except the first, in accordance with the state of the preceding said switch means upon the receipt of a said reset pulse, each said switch means having at least a pair of output terminals furnishing output signals of opposite polarity; diode matrix means having a plurality of output terminals, responsive to the respective outputs of said switch means for energizing individual ones of said output terminals in correspondence with particular combinations of output signals from said switch means, said matrix means being operated to pass said output signals from said switch means to one of said output terminals at a given instant, depending uniquely upon the configuration of polarities then present on said output terminals of said switch means, an autokey code output terminal, and means for connecting fewer than all of said output terminals of said matrix means in parallel to said autokey code output terminal, whereby said autokey code appearing on said autokey code output terminals contains a pattern of pulses determined by, but different from, the pattern of pulses appearing in said intelligence signals.

Inventors

  • 👤 Beryl L. McArdle

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 17:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04K; H04K1/00; H04K1/02; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/06; H04L9/065; H04L9/0656; H04L9/0662

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 291 words
An autokey generator adapted for use in a secret communication system, comprising the combination of a source of binary digit pulse intelligence signals in digital mark-space form having a predetermined number of digital pulse intervals in each intelligence signal interval; a plurality of bistable switch means connected in sequence, each said switch means having a tripped state and a reset state, a source of reset signals connected to each of said switch means, said reset signals occurring at the end of each digit interval; means for tripping the first said switch means in response to the receipt of a mark pulse from said source of intelligence signals; means for setting each said switch means, except the first, in accordance with the state of the preceding said switch means upon the receipt of a said reset pulse, each said switch means having at least a pair of output terminals furnishing output signals of opposite polarity; diode matrix means having a plurality of output terminals, responsive to the respective outputs of said switch means for energizing individual ones of said output terminals in correspondence with particular combinations of output signals from said switch means, said matrix means being operated to pass said output signals from said switch means to one of said output terminals at a given instant, depending uniquely upon the configuration of polarities then present on said output terminals of said switch means, an autokey code output terminal, and means for connecting fewer than all of said output terminals of said matrix means in parallel to said autokey code output terminal, whereby said autokey code appearing on said autokey code output terminals contains a pattern of pulses determined by, but different from, the pattern of pulses appearing in said intelligence signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 291 words
An autokey generator adapted for use in a secret communication system, comprising the combination of a source of binary digit pulse intelligence signals in digital mark-space form having a predetermined number of digital pulse intervals in each intelligence signal interval; a plurality of bistable switch means connected in sequence, each said switch means having a tripped state and a reset state, a source of reset signals connected to each of said switch means, said reset signals occurring at the end of each digit interval; means for tripping the first said switch means in response to the receipt of a mark pulse from said source of intelligence signals; means for setting each said switch means, except the first, in accordance with the state of the preceding said switch means upon the receipt of a said reset pulse, each said switch means having at least a pair of output terminals furnishing output signals of opposite polarity; diode matrix means having a plurality of output terminals, responsive to the respective outputs of said switch means for energizing individual ones of said output terminals in correspondence with particular combinations of output signals from said switch means, said matrix means being operated to pass said output signals from said switch means to one of said output terminals at a given instant, depending uniquely upon the configuration of polarities then present on said output terminals of said switch means, an autokey code output terminal, and means for connecting fewer than all of said output terminals of said matrix means in parallel to said autokey code output terminal, whereby said autokey code appearing on said autokey code output terminals contains a pattern of pulses determined by, but different from, the pattern of pulses appearing in said intelligence signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The combination of claim 1 in which each said switch means is an electronic switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said means for connecting said matrix means to said autokey code output terminal includes a cross-wired key setting wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 48 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said source of intelligence signals includes means for generating random noise, means for accepting speech and other desired signals, and means for adding said random noise to said desired signals before sampling and conversion into said binary digit pulse intelligence signals.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-01-24 1986-07-26 1987-01-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-01-24 1990-07-26 1991-01-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-01-24 1994-07-26 1995-01-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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