TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED

• US 3,746,793 A
• Filed: 08/09/1972
• Issued: 07/17/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frank Cicchiello, Henri P. Boutin, Reynold M. Sachs
• Original Assignee: Frank Cicchiello, Henri P. Boutin, Reynold M. Sachs
• Inventors: Cicchiello, Frank, Sachs, Reynold M., Boutin, Henri P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'Amico, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US05/279,228
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: 178/6.8 340/324AD,152,365,149A 179/2DP,2R,2TV,2A 235/92AC,92PD,101,61.7B
• US Class Current: 379/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/153 using cathode-ray tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/222 Control of the character-code memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 21/04 at the receiving end
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/085 using a television receiver, e.g. viewdata system

Abstract

A keyboard entry terminal generates character codes in response to an operator'"'"''"'"'s key selections. The code is transmitted to voice grade telephone lines through an acoustic coupler with a telephone receiver cradled thereon. An ordinary television receiver is connected to the terminal to display the operator'"'"''"'"'s message as it is typed on the keyboard. An identical terminal is located at the other end of the telephone lines so that the code transmitted over the lines is received by the remote terminal through its acoustic coupler, upon which the receiving station telephone receiver is similarly cradled. Again, an ordinary TV receiver is connected to the terminal at the receiver station for the display of the incoming message. Transmission from the receiver station can then take place as outlined above.

Claims

1. A telephone communication system for the hearing impaired, the system having at least two communication stations, each station comprising:

an acoustic coupler for operating with a telephone receiver;

means connected to the coupler output for generating electrical message signals in response to a telephone message received from another station;

means connected to the output of the generating means for encoding the electrical message signals into an electrically coded signal;

means connected to the output of the encoding means to translate the coded signals into signals representing a plurality of respective character dot matrices;

circuit means for connecting the translated matrix signals to a signal mixer where a carrier signal is modulated by the translated signals;

means for connecting vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals to the mixer;

means connected to the output of the mixer for converting the mixed signal to the RF region;

output means connected to the output of the converting means to permit direct connection of the system to the antenna of a conventional TV;

whereby a row by row display of the received message can be effected;

a keyboard for entering a message at one station to be transmitted to the other station;

means connected to the keyboard for encoding the message in the form of a coded signal;

means connected to the encoding means and responsive to the coded signal for generating audio tones, coupled by the acoustic coupler, to a telephone for transmitting the message to the other station;

counter means for monitoring utilization of the keyboard as the keyboard is actuated, as well as the elapsed time said one station is in actual use and power is on;

means connected to the output of the counter means for indicaTing to the user a first count condition;

means connected to the output of the acoustic coupler and responsive to receipt of a special reset code from another party, for resetting the counter means; and

means connected to the counter means for disabling said one station'"'"''"'"'s output means if the reset does not occur and the counter reaches a second count condition.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the counter means is incremented by OR gating of key strokes from the keyboard and the output from a relatively low frequency oscillator.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein circuit means are connected between the keyboard and an external tape recorder for effecting the recording of a message as it is entered on the keyboard.

4. The circuitry set forth in claim 1 wherein circuit means are connected between the means for generating electric message signals and an external tape recorder for recording all communication transmitted and received at a station.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 together with means for detecting the connection of a tape recorder in the system at said one station and issuing a visual warning thereof at said other station.

6. The circuitry stated in claim 1 together with indicator means connected in circuit with the output of the acoustic coupler for visually indicating the condition of the phone lines when a call is being placed.

7. The structure defined in claim 2 wherein the counter means includes:

a first gate having one input connected to the keys of the keyboard;

a second input connected to the low frequency oscillator, whereby a pulse at either input turns the gate on;

a binary counter responding to the gate each time it turns on;

a second gate connected to the output of the counter for actuation when a first preselected count is obtained;

indicator means connected to the second gate to indicate when the first preselected count is attained;

a third gate connected to the output of the counter for actuation when a second preselected count is attained;

another indicator means connected to the third gate to indicate when the second preselected count is attained; and

a reset line connected to the counter for resetting the counter to its starting count.