US5583933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the secure communication of data
Assignee: Smart Tone Inc
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Filing: 1994-08-05
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Granted: 1996-12-10
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Expires: 2014-08-05
Abstract
Abstract An auto-dialer suitable for use as a smart card capable of being acoustically coupled to a telephone and being reprogrammed in response to acoustic signals. The programming and other features of the auto-dialer can be enabled or disabled by the auto-dialer in response to persecuted signals, e.g., a string of DTMF tones. Encryption of calling card and other data into destination telephone numbers is achieved by selectively altering persecuted characteristics of a DTMF tone sequence, such as the duration of tones, the period of silence between tones and the twist between Lo-band and Hi-band tones of DTMF tone pairs in a DTMF tone sequence representing a telephone number. The encryption of data into the telephone number does not affect the ability of standard telephone switching circuitry to recognize the destination number. However, information encrypted into the DTMF signals is undetectable to standard telephone switching circuitry because it is encrypted using DTMF signal characteristics not normally used to represent data. The auto-dialer has a system clock used to drive a pseudo random number generator used in various data security schemes. Calibration features permit the calibration of the audio output and system clock with adjustments being made via the acoustic programming of the auto-dialer with various calibration factors.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew R. Mark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/18; H04Q1/30; H04Q1/44; H04Q1/444; H04Q1/45; H04Q1/453; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/346; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/0873; G07F7/088; G07F7/0886; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G10; G10L; G10L17/00; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04M1/275; H04M1/66; H04M15/00; H04M17/00; H04M17/02; H04M3/00; H04M3/16; H04M1/02; H04M1/21; H04M1/215; H04M1/2155; H04M1/271; H04M1/2753; H04M1/2757; H04M1/30; H04M1/50; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/40; H04M3/42; H04M3/44; H04M3/487; H04M3/493
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 124
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A device for generating a set of tones encoded with data, each tone in the set being separated by an interdigit period, the device including: memory storing encoding information relating to alterable tone characteristic values and storing corresponding data items; and an encoding generator electrically coupled to said memory, said encoding generator generating a set of tones encoded with said alterable tone characteristic values in response to said encoding information and said data items.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A device for generating a set of tones encoded with data, each tone in the set being separated by an interdigit period, the device including: memory storing encoding information relating to alterable tone characteristic values and storing corresponding data items; and an encoding generator electrically coupled to said memory, said encoding generator generating a set of tones encoded with said alterable tone characteristic values in response to said encoding information and said data items.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a system clock generating a system time; a clock setter responsive to a first pre-defined acoustic signal to set the system clock; a calibrator responsive to a second pre-defined acoustic signal to calibrate said system time as a function of the deviation in time from the last setting; and an acoustic signal receiver electrically coupled to said clock setter and said calibrator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: memory storing information relating to the insertion of a timing space between a string of tones conforming to the time necessary for one call switching system to make contact with another; an information controller responsive to a preselected sequence of tones to alter the stored information relating to the insertion of a timing space; and a tone receiver electrically coupled to said information controller, said generator generating said tones as a function of the stored information relating to the timing space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a limiter limiting user accessibility to features of the device, said limiter being responsive to the receipt of a signal including a string of pre-selected tones to alter, as a function of the received signal, the features to which the user is given access; and a signal receiver electrically coupled to said limiter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a system clock generating a system time; a pseudo random number generator generating a pseudo random number as a function of the system time; and an output device outputting the pseudo random number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: an audio transducer receiving audio signals and converting the audio signals into electrical signals; memory storing information relating to the amount of amplification that is to be applied to the electrical signals generated by the audio transducer; and an information controller altering the information stored in said memory relating to the amount of amplification that is to be applied to the electrical signals in response to the receipt of a preselected series of audio signals stored in said memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator device indicating when the device is outputting the tones.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a decoder circuit receiving and decoding encoded tones to obtain paging information from received tones; and a display device displaying the paging information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: a number generator selected from the group consisting of a pseudo random number generator, a random number generator and an incrementing register; and a generated number output device electrically coupled to said selected number generator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: memory storing information relating to an acoustic device access control signal; a receiver receiving an acoustic signal, said receiver including an audio transducer; a detector comparing a received acoustic device access control signal to the stored information relating to the acoustic device access control signal to detect the receipt of the acoustic device access control signal; and a controller placing the device into a functional mode not otherwise available to a user of the device upon the receipt of the acoustic device access control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the information relating to the access control signal includes information identifying a preselected set of tones.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a calibrator monitoring, processing and storing transmission related characteristics of tones and calibrating the output of the device as a function of the stored transmission related characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 12, further comprising: a calibration controller enabling the calibrator to calibrate the output of the device in response to the receipt of a preselected set of tones.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: memory storing a string of network address codes and dialing sequences intended for use when initiating a telephone call; a reprogrammer responsive to a pre-selected set of tones, to alter said stored string of network address codes and dialing sequences; and a tone receiver electrically coupled to said reprogrammer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 14, wherein said reprogrammer is responsive to received tones to reprogram the device with information encoded into the received tones.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker outputting the tones as an audio signal; a housing surrounding said speaker, the housing including audio outlets, said audio outlets permitting the audio signal generated by the speaker to exit the housing; and a device indicator mounted on the housing in close proximity to the audio outlets, said device indicator being adapted to indicate to a receiver the presence of the device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the device indicator is a strip of highly reflective material mounted on the housing in close proximity to the audio outlets, said reflective material being adapted for reflecting light to the receiver to thereby indicate to the receiver the presence of the device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a decoder circuit receiving and decoding encoded tones to obtain paging information from received tones; and a transmitter device transmitting the paging information to a pager device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 18, wherein the transmitter device is a radio frequency transmitter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the generator generating the set of tones includes circuitry generating a single tone and only a single tone during at least one of the interdigit periods separating the tones in the set.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 20, wherein the single tone is a tone having a frequency less than 672 Hz or greater than 1590 Hz.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 20, wherein the single tone has a frequency less than 672.61 Hz or greater than 1690.16 Hz.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: an activator responsive to an activation signal, said activator causing the device to become fully active upon receipt of the activation signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 10, further comprising: memory storing information representing a preselected set of tones corresponding to the activation signal; and wherein the activator includes a detector detecting a received signal, said detector including a comparator comparing the received signal to the stored information corresponding to the activation signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 23, wherein the activation signal comprises a light signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a receiver receiving signals representing computational instructions; a data item calculator performing computational operations on a data item as a function of the received signals representing computational instructions; and an output device outputting the result of the computational instructions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 26, wherein said device is capable of performing a plurality of functions and wherein said memory includes memory space storing information relating to a user, the stored information including information regarding the device functions which the user is permitted to use.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 27, further comprising: an optical sensor receiving optically transmitted data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: an audio transducer receiving audio signals; a memory device storing information relating to a first and second predetermined control signal; a detector circuit detecting the receipt of the first and second predetermined control signals; and a controller causing the device to cease operation in response to the detection of the first predetermined control signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 29, further comprising: an audio output circuit; and wherein the controller controls the audio output circuit to output a predetermined set of tones in response to the detection of the second control signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 29, further comprising: an audio output circuit; and wherein the controller controls the audio output circuit to output a diagnostic signal indicative of the operational status of the device in response to the detection of the second control signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 29, wherein the memory stores a plurality of signal characteristics relating to signals which the device is capable of decoding, said device further comprising: an adjustable filter circuit filtering out received signals that fail to conform to the plurality of signal characteristics stored in the memory.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the set of tones comprises a series of tone pairs.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 33, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the information relating to the alterable tone characteristic values includes tone pair duration values.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 33, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the information relating to the alterable tone characteristic values includes aggregate tone pair signal power levels.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 33, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the information relating to the alterable tone characteristic values includes differences in signal levels between the highest and lowest levels of each tone in a tone pair.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 33, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal, and wherein the information relating to the alterable tone characteristic values includes interdigit duration values.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 33, wherein the generator generating the set of tones includes circuitry generating a third tone simultaneously with the generation of a tone pair to represent information to be encoded into the set of tones, the third tone having a frequency less than 672 Hz or greater than 1590 Hz.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 33, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal, each tone pair including a first tone and a second tone, and wherein the generator generating the set of tones includes: a first amplification circuit amplifying the first tone; and a second amplification circuit amplifying the second tone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
86 words
The device of claim 39, further comprising: a data table in the memory storing information about amplification levels to be used for each of said first and second tones when generating one of a plurality of tone pairs; and an amplification controller electrically coupled to said memory, said first amplification circuit and said second amplification circuit, said amplification controller controlling the amplification levels of the first and second tones of each tone pair being generated as a function of the information stored in the data table.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 40, wherein the data table further includes: a list of tone frequencies that may be used to generate the DTMF signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 41 further comprising: a programmer reprogramming the information stored in the data table in response to receipt of a signal including a pre-selected set of tones.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a proximity sensor electrically coupled to said generator, said proximity sensor detecting the proximity of said device to said receiver.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said receiver is a microphone of a telephone handset, said device further comprising: a proximity indicator coupled to said proximity sensor, the proximity indicator indicating when the device must be placed closer to said microphone to provide satisfactory acoustic communication between the device and the microphone of the handset.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 44, wherein the proximity indicator is a light.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 44, wherein the proximity indicator is an audio signal generator generating an audio signal indicating when the device must be placed closer to the microphone.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 43 further comprising: a speaker electrically coupled to said generator, said speaker outputting the tones as an audio signal; and a housing surrounding said speaker, said housing including audio outlets, said audio outlets permitting the audio signal generated by said speaker to exit said housing, wherein said proximity sensor is a pressure switch located on said housing.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 43 further comprising: a speaker electrically coupled to said generator, said speaker outputting the tones as an audio signal; and a housing surrounding said speaker, said housing including audio outlets, said audio outlets permitting the audio signal generated by said speaker to exit said housing, wherein said proximity sensor is a series of pressure switches encircling said audio outlets.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said proximity sensor is a light sensor.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 49 wherein said proximity sensor is activated when the device is placed in close proximity to a microphone of a telephone handset thereby reducing the amount of light received by the proximity sensor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said device has a predetermined operating proximity to said receiver, said device enabling said generator upon said proximity sensor detecting said proximity of said device to said receiver to be within said operating proximity, and disabling said generator upon said proximity sensor detecting said proximity of said device to said receiver to be outside said operating proximity.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 51 further comprising a proximity indicator electrically coupled to said proximity sensor, said proximity indicator indicating to a user that said device is outside said operating proximity upon said proximity sensor detecting said proximity of said device to said receiver to be outside said operating proximity.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
79 words
The device of claim 52 wherein said proximity indicator is an indicator selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a display and a light; wherein said speaker outputs an audible signal to indicate that said device should be moved closer to said receiver; wherein said display displays a message to indicate that said device should be moved closer to said receiver; and wherein said light illuminates to indicate that said device should be moved closer to said receiver.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
97 words
A device -for generating DTMF tone pairs encoded with data, the device comprising: memory storing information elements and non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values, each one of the information elements being associated with one of the non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values; a signal generator controllably generating DTMF tone pairs with non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values corresponding to ones of said values stored in said memory; and a processor coupled to said memory and said signal generator, said processor controlling the signal generator to generate said DTMF tone pairs as a function of said stored values.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
97 words
A device -for generating DTMF tone pairs encoded with data, the device comprising: memory storing information elements and non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values, each one of the information elements being associated with one of the non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values; a signal generator controllably generating DTMF tone pairs with non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values corresponding to ones of said values stored in said memory; and a processor coupled to said memory and said signal generator, said processor controlling the signal generator to generate said DTMF tone pairs as a function of said stored values.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 54, wherein the non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values include the duration of delay periods between DTMF tone pairs.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 54, wherein the non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values include tone pair durations.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 54, wherein the non-frequency DTMF tone pair characteristic values include tone pair signal levels.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 54, wherein the DTMF tone pairs each have a twist level, and wherein the non-frequency DTMF signal characteristic values include DTMF tone pair twist levels.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for decoding data encoded into a set of tones having non-frequency tone characteristic values representing encoded information, said device comprising: a data table storing a plurality of non-frequency tone characteristic values and a data element associated with each of the stored non-frequency tone characteristic values; a detector detecting the non-frequency tone characteristic values representing the encoded information; and a processor coupled to said data table and said detector, said processor decoding said encoded information as a function of the data stored in the data table and the detected non-frequency tone characteristic values.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for decoding data encoded into a set of tones having non-frequency tone characteristic values representing encoded information, said device comprising: a data table storing a plurality of non-frequency tone characteristic values and a data element associated with each of the stored non-frequency tone characteristic values; a detector detecting the non-frequency tone characteristic values representing the encoded information; and a processor coupled to said data table and said detector, said processor decoding said encoded information as a function of the data stored in the data table and the detected non-frequency tone characteristic values.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 59, further comprising: a transducer coupled to said processor, said transducer receiving an acoustic signal representing the set of tones.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of claim, 59 wherein the set of tones comprises a series of tone pairs.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 61, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the tone characteristic values include tone pair duration values.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 61, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the tone characteristic values include aggregate tone pair signal power levels.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 61, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the tone characteristic values include differences in power levels between the highest and lowest power levels of each tone in a tone pair.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 61, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the tone characteristic values include differences in amplitude levels between the highest and lowest amplitude levels of each tone in a tone pair.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 61, wherein the series of tone pairs is a DTMF signal and wherein the tone characteristic values include durations of interdigit periods.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 61, wherein the tone pairs are separated by interdigit periods, further comprising a detector detecting a single tone asserted during at least one of the interdigit periods separating the tone pairs in the signal.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 67, further comprising a detector detecting signal characteristics of the single tone and decoding information represented by the single tone.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for generating a series of tone signals providing non-frequency modulation of data, each tone signal including simultaneously asserted first and second tones, the device comprising: a first tone generator circuit generating a first tone; a second tone generator circuit generating a second tone; a first amplification circuit coupled to said first tone generator circuit amplifying the first tone; a second amplification circuit coupled to the second tone generator circuit amplifying the second tone, said first and second amplification circuits operating independently to provide non-frequency modulation of data; a control circuit controlling the first and second tone generator circuits and the first and second amplification circuits to generate a series of first and second tones; and an output circuit coupled to said first and second amplification circuits combining the series of first and second tones to generate a series of tone signals.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for generating a series of tone signals providing non-frequency modulation of data, each tone signal including simultaneously asserted first and second tones, the device comprising: a first tone generator circuit generating a first tone; a second tone generator circuit generating a second tone; a first amplification circuit coupled to said first tone generator circuit amplifying the first tone; a second amplification circuit coupled to the second tone generator circuit amplifying the second tone, said first and second amplification circuits operating independently to provide non-frequency modulation of data; a control circuit controlling the first and second tone generator circuits and the first and second amplification circuits to generate a series of first and second tones; and an output circuit coupled to said first and second amplification circuits combining the series of first and second tones to generate a series of tone signals.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
260 words
A device for generating a series of tone signals providing non-frequency modulation of data, each tone signal including simultaneously asserted first and second tones, the device comprising: a first tone generator circuit generating a first tone; a second tone generator circuit generating a second tone; a first amplification circuit electrically coupled to said first tone generator circuit, said first amplification circuit amplifying the first tone; a second amplification circuit electrically coupled to the second tone generator circuit, said second amplification circuit amplifying the second tone, said first and second amplification circuits operating independently to provide non-frequency modulation of data; a control circuit electrically coupled to said first and second amplification circuits and said first and second generator circuits, said control circuit controlling the first and second tone generator circuits and the first and second amplification circuits to generate a series of first and second tones; an output circuit coupled to said first and second amplification circuits, said output circuit combining the series of first and second tones to generate a series of tone signals; memory storing a plurality of twist levels, each twist level representing the difference of the amplification of a first tone and a second tone of a tone signal; and wherein the control circuit includes a processor coupled to said memory and said first and second amplification circuits, said processor accessing said memory and controlling the amplification levels of said first and second amplification circuits to introduce into the tone signals being generated the level of twist stored in the memory for the tone signal being generated.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
260 words
A device for generating a series of tone signals providing non-frequency modulation of data, each tone signal including simultaneously asserted first and second tones, the device comprising: a first tone generator circuit generating a first tone; a second tone generator circuit generating a second tone; a first amplification circuit electrically coupled to said first tone generator circuit, said first amplification circuit amplifying the first tone; a second amplification circuit electrically coupled to the second tone generator circuit, said second amplification circuit amplifying the second tone, said first and second amplification circuits operating independently to provide non-frequency modulation of data; a control circuit electrically coupled to said first and second amplification circuits and said first and second generator circuits, said control circuit controlling the first and second tone generator circuits and the first and second amplification circuits to generate a series of first and second tones; an output circuit coupled to said first and second amplification circuits, said output circuit combining the series of first and second tones to generate a series of tone signals; memory storing a plurality of twist levels, each twist level representing the difference of the amplification of a first tone and a second tone of a tone signal; and wherein the control circuit includes a processor coupled to said memory and said first and second amplification circuits, said processor accessing said memory and controlling the amplification levels of said first and second amplification circuits to introduce into the tone signals being generated the level of twist stored in the memory for the tone signal being generated.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 70, wherein each tone signal further includes a third tone signal and wherein the device further comprises: a third amplification circuit amplifying the third tone of each tone signal being generated independently of the amplification of said first and second tone signals.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
223 words
A device for generating a series of tone signals providing non-frequency modulation of data, each tone signal including simultaneously asserted first and second tones, the device comprising: a first tone generator circuit generating a first tone; a second tone generator circuit generating a second tone; a first amplification circuit electrically coupled to said first tone generator circuit, said first amplification circuit amplifying the first tone; a second amplification circuit electrically coupled to the second tone generator circuit, said second amplification circuit amplifying the second tone, said first and second amplification circuits operating independently to provide non-frequency modulation of data; a control circuit electrically coupled to said first and second amplification circuits and said first and second generator circuits, said control circuit controlling the first and second tone generator circuits and the first and second amplification circuits to generate a series of first and second tones; an output circuit coupled to said first and second amplification circuits, said output circuit combining the series of first and second tones to generate a series of tone signals; a speaker coupled to the output circuit converting the series of tone signals into acoustic signals; and a microphone located in proximity to the speaker and coupled to the control circuit converting the acoustic signals into an electrical feedback signal, wherein the series of tone signals are electrical signals.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
223 words
A device for generating a series of tone signals providing non-frequency modulation of data, each tone signal including simultaneously asserted first and second tones, the device comprising: a first tone generator circuit generating a first tone; a second tone generator circuit generating a second tone; a first amplification circuit electrically coupled to said first tone generator circuit, said first amplification circuit amplifying the first tone; a second amplification circuit electrically coupled to the second tone generator circuit, said second amplification circuit amplifying the second tone, said first and second amplification circuits operating independently to provide non-frequency modulation of data; a control circuit electrically coupled to said first and second amplification circuits and said first and second generator circuits, said control circuit controlling the first and second tone generator circuits and the first and second amplification circuits to generate a series of first and second tones; an output circuit coupled to said first and second amplification circuits, said output circuit combining the series of first and second tones to generate a series of tone signals; a speaker coupled to the output circuit converting the series of tone signals into acoustic signals; and a microphone located in proximity to the speaker and coupled to the control circuit converting the acoustic signals into an electrical feedback signal, wherein the series of tone signals are electrical signals.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
124 words
The device of claim 72 wherein said electrical feedback signal has actual signal characteristic values, said device further comprising: memory including a first set of memory locations storing control parameters for controlling the generation of the first and second tones, and a second set of memory locations storing signal characteristic values, and wherein the control circuit operates to compare the actual signal characteristic values of the electrical feedback signal to characteristic values stored in the second set of memory locations and to adjust the control parameters stored in the first set of memory locations to adjust the first and second tone generator circuits to reduce the differences between the stored signal characteristic values and the actual signal characteristic values of the electrical feedback signal.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for generating and dynamically encrypting data into a set of tones, said device comprising: memory storing data, information relating to alterable tone characteristic values and a plurality of encryption methods, each of said plurality of encryption methods being valid for use at different times; an encryptor electrically coupled to said memory, said encryptor selecting which of said encryption methods is valid for use and using said valid encryption method to associate each of said alterable tone characteristic values with a data item; and a tone generator in electrical communication with said encryptor.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for generating and dynamically encrypting data into a set of tones, said device comprising: memory storing data, information relating to alterable tone characteristic values and a plurality of encryption methods, each of said plurality of encryption methods being valid for use at different times; an encryptor electrically coupled to said memory, said encryptor selecting which of said encryption methods is valid for use and using said valid encryption method to associate each of said alterable tone characteristic values with a data item; and a tone generator in electrical communication with said encryptor.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 74 further comprising: a system clock electrically coupled to said encryptor, wherein said encryptor selects said valid encryption method in response to said system clock.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 74 further comprising: a number generator electrically coupled to said encryptor, wherein said encryptor selects said valid encryption method in response to said number generator.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 74 wherein said set of tones comprises a series of tone pairs.
Claim 85
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for generating a set of tones encoded with data, each tone in the set being separated by an interdigit period, the device including: memory storing encoding information relating to alterable out-of-band tone characteristic values and storing corresponding data items; and an encoding generator electrically coupled to said memory, said encoding generator generating a set of tones encoded with said alterable out-of-band tone characteristic values in response to said encoding information and said data items to provide out-of-band transmission of said data items.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for generating a set of tones encoded with data, each tone in the set being separated by an interdigit period, the device including: memory storing encoding information relating to alterable out-of-band tone characteristic values and storing corresponding data items; and an encoding generator electrically coupled to said memory, said encoding generator generating a set of tones encoded with said alterable out-of-band tone characteristic values in response to said encoding information and said data items to provide out-of-band transmission of said data items.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 78 wherein the set of tones comprises a series of tone pairs.
Claim 88
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of generating a set of tones encrypted with data, wherein the tones are separated by interdigit periods, said method comprising the steps of: storing information in a data table, the information relating to a set of N variations of a first tone characteristic value, wherein the first tone characteristic value can be selectively altered and wherein N is a positive integer; and generating, as a function of the stored information and the data to be encrypted, the set of tones wherein the first tone characteristic value is varied, as a function of the data to be encrypted, with the generation of each tone, to correspond to one of the set of N variations of the first tone characteristic value.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of generating a set of tones encrypted with data, wherein the tones are separated by interdigit periods, said method comprising the steps of: storing information in a data table, the information relating to a set of N variations of a first tone characteristic value, wherein the first tone characteristic value can be selectively altered and wherein N is a positive integer; and generating, as a function of the stored information and the data to be encrypted, the set of tones wherein the first tone characteristic value is varied, as a function of the data to be encrypted, with the generation of each tone, to correspond to one of the set of N variations of the first tone characteristic value.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 80, further comprising the step of: accessing the stored information using the data to be encrypted as an index into the data table of stored information, the accessed information indicating which variation of the set of N variations of the first tone characteristic value corresponds to the data to be encrypted.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 80, further comprising the step of generating as a function of the information to be encrypted, a single tone during at least one of the interdigit periods separating the tones in the set.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 82, wherein the single tone is a tone having a frequency less than 672 Hz or greater than 1590 Hz.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 80 wherein the set of tones comprises a series of DTMF tone pairs.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 84, further comprising the step of generating a third tone, as a function of the information to be encrypted, at the same time a DTMF tone pair is generated, the third tone having a frequency less than 672 Hz or greater than 1590 Hz.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 84, wherein the first tone characteristic value is the time period between the generation of each sequential DTMF tone pair and wherein the step of storing information in the data table includes the step of storing in the data table N different time periods representing the time periods between the generation of each sequential DTMF tone pair.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 84, wherein the first tone characteristic value is the duration a DTMF tone pair is asserted and wherein the step of storing information in the data table includes the step of storing in the data table N different durations representing the durations a DTMF tone pair can be asserted.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 84, wherein each DTMF tone pair includes a Lo-band tone and a Hi-band tone and wherein the first tone characteristic value is the twist between the Lo-band and Hi-band tones of a tone pair, the step of storing information in the data table including the step of storing in the data table N different twist values.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of generating a set of tones encoded with data, comprising the steps of: storing in a data table a plurality of information elements and a plurality of alterable tone characteristic values, each one of the information elements being associated with one of the plurality of alterable tone characteristic values; using the data to be encoded to obtain the alterable tone characteristic value associated with the data to be encoded from the data table; and generating, as a function of the alterable tone characteristic value obtained from the data table, a set of tones.
Claim 99
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of generating a set of tones encoded with data, comprising the steps of: storing in a data table a plurality of information elements and a plurality of alterable tone characteristic values, each one of the information elements being associated with one of the plurality of alterable tone characteristic values; using the data to be encoded to obtain the alterable tone characteristic value associated with the data to be encoded from the data table; and generating, as a function of the alterable tone characteristic value obtained from the data table, a set of tones.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 89 wherein the set of tones comprises a DTMF signal.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 90, wherein the step of generating a set of tones includes the step of generating a series of tone pairs, each tone pair having a twist level, and wherein the step of storing in a data table a plurality of alterable tone characteristic values, includes the step of storing a plurality of twist level values.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 90, wherein the step of generating a set of tones includes the step of generating a series of tone pairs separated by delay periods, and wherein the step of storing in a data table a plurality of alterable tone characteristic values, includes the step of storing a plurality of delay period values, each delay period value representing a different delay following the generation of a tone pair.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 92, wherein the step of storing in a data table a plurality of information elements includes the step of storing a plurality of alphanumeric values in the data table.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 90, wherein the step of generating a set of tones includes the step of generating a series of tone pairs, each tone pair having a period of signal duration, and wherein the step of storing in a data table a plurality of alterable tone characteristic values, includes the step of storing a plurality of tone pair signal duration values, each signal duration value representing a different period of tone pair signal duration.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 94, wherein the step of storing in a data table a plurality of information elements includes the step of storing a plurality of alphanumeric values in the data table.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 90, wherein the step of generating a set of tones includes the step of generating a series of tone pairs, each tone pair having a signal level, and wherein the step of storing in a data table a plurality of alterable tone characteristic values, includes the step of storing a plurality of signal level values.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 96, wherein the step of storing in a data table a plurality of information elements includes the step of storing a plurality of alphanumeric values in the data table.
Claim 108
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of generating an audio DTMF signal providing non-frequency modulation of data, comprising the steps of: generating a Lo-frequency tone signal; amplifying the Lo-frequency tone signal to create a Lo-frequency tone signal having a first power level; generating a Hi-frequency tone signal; amplifying the Hi-frequency tone signal separately from said Lo-frequency tone signal to generate a Hi-tone signal having a second power level that differs from the first power level to provide non-frequency modulation of data; combining the Lo-frequency and Hi-frequency tone signals to form a tone pair; amplifying the tone pair; and supplying the amplified tone pair to a speaker to generate said audio DTMF signal.
Claim 109
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of generating an audio DTMF signal providing non-frequency modulation of data, comprising the steps of: generating a Lo-frequency tone signal; amplifying the Lo-frequency tone signal to create a Lo-frequency tone signal having a first power level; generating a Hi-frequency tone signal; amplifying the Hi-frequency tone signal separately from said Lo-frequency tone signal to generate a Hi-tone signal having a second power level that differs from the first power level to provide non-frequency modulation of data; combining the Lo-frequency and Hi-frequency tone signals to form a tone pair; amplifying the tone pair; and supplying the amplified tone pair to a speaker to generate said audio DTMF signal.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 1, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately nine dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, Wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 2, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately three dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 3, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately five dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 4, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately one dB lower than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 5, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately seven dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 6, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately seven dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 7, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately five dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 8, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately three dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 9, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately seven dB higher than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 98, wherein the tone pair corresponds to the digit 0, and the Lo-frequency tone component of the audio DTMF signal has a sound pressure level that is approximately two dB lower than the sound pressure level of the Hi-frequency tone signal component of the audio DTMF signal.
Claim 120
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of dynamically encrypting data into a set of tones, said method comprising the steps of: storing data items, information relating to alterable tone characteristic values and a plurality of encryption methods, each of said plurality of encryption methods being valid for use at different times; determining which of said plurality of encryption methods is valid for use; using said valid encryption method to associate each of said alterable tone characteristic values with a data item; and generating a set of tones as a function of the alterable tone characteristic values associated with each data item to be encrypted.
Claim 121
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of dynamically encrypting data into a set of tones, said method comprising the steps of: storing data items, information relating to alterable tone characteristic values and a plurality of encryption methods, each of said plurality of encryption methods being valid for use at different times; determining which of said plurality of encryption methods is valid for use; using said valid encryption method to associate each of said alterable tone characteristic values with a data item; and generating a set of tones as a function of the alterable tone characteristic values associated with each data item to be encrypted.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 109 wherein the step of determining which of said plurality of encryption methods is valid for use further comprises the steps of: obtaining a current system time from a system clock; and using said current system time to determine which of said plurality of encryption methods is valid for use.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 109 Wherein the step of determining which of said plurality of encryption methods is valid for use further comprises the steps of: generating a pseudo random number; and using said pseudo random number to determine which of said plurality of encryption methods is valid for use.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 109 wherein the step of generating a set of tones further comprises the step of generating a series of tone pairs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-10 | 2000-06-10 | 2000-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-10 | 2004-06-10 | 2004-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-10 | 2008-06-10 | 2008-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |