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US4788708A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Universal headset tester

Assignee: TELE-TECHNIX Inc A CORP
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Filing: 1987-11-25
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2007-11-25
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Abstract

Abstract A device for testing performance of telephone headsets. The device performs reception, transmission, reception distortion, transmission distortion, reception limiting, and current consumption testing, as well as allowing these same tests with reverse polarity. The complete headset may be tested, or just the bottom or top units may be tested, as well as auxiliary power packs. The tester is designed to be used with any conventional headset, regardless of variations in the specifications, such as power supply. The tester may be programmed for an automatic testing mode.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gary Hendrix

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 02:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R29/00; H04R29/001; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/24

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for testing a telephone headset having a microphone and a speaker, comprising: means for injecting a test signal into said headset, said injecting means providing a receive electric signal to said speaker and a transmit acoustic signal to said microphone; means for receiving an output signal from said headset, said receiving means capturing a receive acoustic signal from said speaker, corresponding to said receive electric signal, and further capturing a transmit electric signal from said microphone, corresponding to said transmit acoustic signal; and means for analyzing said output signal whereby various performance qualities of said headset may be ascertained, said analyzing means checking reception and transmission qualities of said headset by analyzing said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for testing a telephone headset having a microphone and a speaker, comprising: means for injecting a test signal into said headset, said injecting means providing a receive electric signal to said speaker and a transmit acoustic signal to said microphone; means for receiving an output signal from said headset, said receiving means capturing a receive acoustic signal from said speaker, corresponding to said receive electric signal, and further capturing a transmit electric signal from said microphone, corresponding to said transmit acoustic signal; and means for analyzing said output signal whereby various performance qualities of said headset may be ascertained, said analyzing means checking reception and transmission qualities of said headset by analyzing said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analyzing means further comprises means for determining distortion of said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said injecting means includes selectable gain means for providing said receive electric signal at varying amplitudes, whereby reception limiting qualities of said headset may be ascertained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said analyzing means further comprises means for measuring current consumption by said headset.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said injecting means includes means for reversing polarity of power supplied to said headset.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said headset consists of a bottom unit and a top unit, further comprising means for selecting testing of both said bottom and top units, said bottom unit only, or said top unit only.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for checking an external power supply for said headset.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for supplying varying levels of power to said headset.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analyzing means further comprises means for measuring current consumption by said headset.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said injecting means includes means for reversing polarity of power supplied to said headset.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said headset consists of a bottom unit and a top unit, further comprising means for selecting testing of both said bottom and top units, said bottom unit only, or said top unit only.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for checking an external power supply for said headset.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for supplying varying levels of power to said headset.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for programming test sequences, whereby said apparatus may automatically test a plurality of said various performance qualities.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receive electric signal comprises a signal having more than one audible frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transmit acoustic signal comprises a signal having more than one audible frequency.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 185 words
A device for testing various performance qualities of a telephone headset, said headset consisting of a bottom unit and a top unit, said bottom unit having one or more connecting jacks and having a first QD connector, said top unit having a second QD connector for connection to said first QD connector, and said top unit further including a microphone and a speaker, said device comprising: keyboard means; processor means responsive to said keyboard means; display means operatively connected to said processor means; and means for coupling said processor means to said headset, said processor means further including: internal memory means for storing processing data; means for injecting a receive electric signal to said speaker and a transmit acoustic signal to said microphone; means for receiving a receive acoustic signal from said speaker, corresponding to said receive electric signal, and a transmit electric signal from said microphone, corresponding to said transmit acoustic signal; and means for analyzing said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal; whereby transmission and reception qualities of said headset are correlated to numbers which are displayed on said display means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 185 words
A device for testing various performance qualities of a telephone headset, said headset consisting of a bottom unit and a top unit, said bottom unit having one or more connecting jacks and having a first QD connector, said top unit having a second QD connector for connection to said first QD connector, and said top unit further including a microphone and a speaker, said device comprising: keyboard means; processor means responsive to said keyboard means; display means operatively connected to said processor means; and means for coupling said processor means to said headset, said processor means further including: internal memory means for storing processing data; means for injecting a receive electric signal to said speaker and a transmit acoustic signal to said microphone; means for receiving a receive acoustic signal from said speaker, corresponding to said receive electric signal, and a transmit electric signal from said microphone, corresponding to said transmit acoustic signal; and means for analyzing said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal; whereby transmission and reception qualities of said headset are correlated to numbers which are displayed on said display means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 85 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said coupling means includes: a first acoustic coupler for attachment to said microphone of said top unit; a second acoustic coupler for attachment to said speaker of said top unit; first connection means for receiving said jacks of said bottom unit of said headset; and second connection means for receiving either said first or said second QD connectors, each of said first and second acoustic couplers and said first and second connection means being connected to said processing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 67 words
The device of claim 18 further comprising: a test port connected to said processor means; electric cable means having first and second ends, said first end connected to said test port; and a remote test head connected to said second end of said cable means, each of said first and second acoustic couplers and said first and second connection means being connected to said remote test head.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 41 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said test head further includes third connection means for receiving an external power supply used with said headset, and wherein said processor means includes means for measuring the power level of said external power supply.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 50 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said display means includes means for indicating whether: (1) both of said top and bottom units are being tested; (2) said bottom unit only is being tested; (3) said top unit only is being tested; or (4) said external power supply is being tested.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 19 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said processor means includes means for supplying said headset with varying power levels.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 24 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said display means includes means for indicating which of said power levels is being supplied to said headset.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 25 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said analyzing means further comprises means for determining distortion of said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 32 words
The device of claim 24 wherein said injecting means includes selectable gain means for providing said receive electric signal at varying amplitudes, whereby reception limiting qualities of said headset may be ascertained.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 19 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said analyzing means further comprises means for measuring current consumption by said headset.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 55 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said display means includes: an alphanumeric display panel for displaying the values of said receive acoustic signal, said transmit electric signal, said distortion of said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal, said reception limiting qualities, and said current consumption; and means for indicating units of said values.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 24 words
The device of claim 17 further comprising means for programming said processor means whereby said device automatically performs testing of said various performance qualities.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 22 words
The device of claim 28 further comprising optional external memory means for storing information related to said programming of said processor means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 19 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said receive electric signal comprises a signal having more than one audible frequency.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 19 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said transmit acoustic signal comprises a signal having more than one audible frequency.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 500 words
A universal headset tester for testing reception, transmission, reception distortion, transmission distortion, reception limiting, and current consumption of a telephone headset, said headset consisting of a bottom unit and a top unit, said bottom unit having one or more connecting jacks and having a first QD connector, said top unit having a second QD connector for connection to said first QD connector, and said top unit further including a microphone and a speaker, said universal headset tester comprising: a keyboard; processor means responsive to said keyboard, said processor means including: (a) internal random access memory for storing processing data; (b) means for injecting a receive electric signal to said speaker and a transmit acoustic signal to said microphone; (c) means for receiving (i) a receive acoustic signal from said speaker, corresponding to said receive electric signal, and (ii) a transmit electric signal from said microphone, corresponding to said transmit acoustic signal; (d) means for analyzing said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal; (e) selectable gain means for providing said receive electric signal at varying amplitudes; (f) means for supplying said headset with first, second, and third power levels; (g) means for determining distortion of said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal; and (h) means for measuring current consumption by said headset; first, second, and third unit type annunciators connected to said processor means, said first unit type annunciator being illuminated when both said top and bottom units are being test, said second unit type annunciator being illuminated when said top unit only is being tested, and said third unit type annunciator being illuminated when said bottom unit only is being tested; first, second, and third power annunciators connected to said processor means, said first power annunciator being illuminated when said first power level is being supplied to said headset, said second power annunciator being illuminated when said second power level is being supplied to said headset, and said third power annunciator being illuminated when said third power level is being supplied to said headset; an alphanumeric display panel connected to said processor means; first, second, third, fourth, and fifth units annunciators connected to said processor means for indicating units of numbers displayed on said display panel; a test port connected to said processor means; a multi-wire cable having first and second ends, said first end connected to said test port; and a remote test head comprising; a cable connector for receiving said second end of said cable; a first acoustic coupler for attachment to said microphone of said top unit; a second acoustic coupler for attachment to said speaker of said top unit; first connection means for receiving said jacks of said bottom unit of said headset; and second connection means for receiving either said first or said second QD connectors, each of said first and second acoustic couplers and said first and second connection means being attached to said test head and being connected, through said cable and said test port, to said processor means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 500 words
A universal headset tester for testing reception, transmission, reception distortion, transmission distortion, reception limiting, and current consumption of a telephone headset, said headset consisting of a bottom unit and a top unit, said bottom unit having one or more connecting jacks and having a first QD connector, said top unit having a second QD connector for connection to said first QD connector, and said top unit further including a microphone and a speaker, said universal headset tester comprising: a keyboard; processor means responsive to said keyboard, said processor means including: (a) internal random access memory for storing processing data; (b) means for injecting a receive electric signal to said speaker and a transmit acoustic signal to said microphone; (c) means for receiving (i) a receive acoustic signal from said speaker, corresponding to said receive electric signal, and (ii) a transmit electric signal from said microphone, corresponding to said transmit acoustic signal; (d) means for analyzing said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal; (e) selectable gain means for providing said receive electric signal at varying amplitudes; (f) means for supplying said headset with first, second, and third power levels; (g) means for determining distortion of said receive acoustic signal and said transmit electric signal; and (h) means for measuring current consumption by said headset; first, second, and third unit type annunciators connected to said processor means, said first unit type annunciator being illuminated when both said top and bottom units are being test, said second unit type annunciator being illuminated when said top unit only is being tested, and said third unit type annunciator being illuminated when said bottom unit only is being tested; first, second, and third power annunciators connected to said processor means, said first power annunciator being illuminated when said first power level is being supplied to said headset, said second power annunciator being illuminated when said second power level is being supplied to said headset, and said third power annunciator being illuminated when said third power level is being supplied to said headset; an alphanumeric display panel connected to said processor means; first, second, third, fourth, and fifth units annunciators connected to said processor means for indicating units of numbers displayed on said display panel; a test port connected to said processor means; a multi-wire cable having first and second ends, said first end connected to said test port; and a remote test head comprising; a cable connector for receiving said second end of said cable; a first acoustic coupler for attachment to said microphone of said top unit; a second acoustic coupler for attachment to said speaker of said top unit; first connection means for receiving said jacks of said bottom unit of said headset; and second connection means for receiving either said first or said second QD connectors, each of said first and second acoustic couplers and said first and second connection means being attached to said test head and being connected, through said cable and said test port, to said processor means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 36 words
The universal headset tester of claim 32 further comprising means for programming said processor means whereby said tester automatically performs any combination of said reception, transmission, reception distortion, transmission distortion, reception limiting, and current consumption testing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 24 words
The universal headset tester of claim 33 further comprising optional external memory means for storing information related to said programming of said processor means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 20 words
The universal headset tester of claim 32 further comprising means for reversing polarity of said power provided to said headset.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 21 words
The universal headset tester of claim 32 further comprising means for calibrating said receive electric signal and said transmit acoustic signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 21 words
The universal headset tester of claim 32 wherein said receive electric signal comprises a signal having more than one audible frequency.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 21 words
The universal headset tester of claim 32 wherein said transmit acoustic signal comprises a signal having more than one audible frequency.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4674123A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-11-29 1992-05-30 1992-11-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-11-29 1996-05-30 1996-11-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-11-29 2000-05-30 2000-11-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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