Automatic answering device for use in live speech communication and circuit components thereof
First Claim
1. A device connectable to a system providing a path for two way live speech communication and a calling signal, said device including speech processing circuitry incorporating a microphone, a speaker and their respective circuits, and a common line for incoming and outgoing signals, speech control circuitry providing means for discerning the origin of speech signals originating at either the microphone or incoming over said common line and operable to enable alternatively either live microphone speech signals to reach said line or live telephone line speech signals to reach the speaker depending on whichever live speech signal is introduced into said device first, said speech control circuitry including switching means operable to render, in the alternative, said microphone capable of transmitting signals over said common line or said speaker capable of receiving signals of approximately the same acoustic level incoming on said common line, said switching means including a Schmitt trigger and operable in response to signals of different magnitude, and means operable to convert incoming and outgoing signals of said level into signals of appropriately different levels and to deliver such signals to said Schmitt trigger, and a system control circuit controlled by the output of the Schmitt trigger and connectable to and controlling said system and connected to and controlling said speech processing circuitry and provided with timer means operable on said calling signal to provide a control voltage for a predetermined interval for said circuits and circuitry to effect and maintain line seizure and to release said line upon reduction in amplitude of said voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This device enables apartment dwellers to communicate with and thereby identify persons desiring ingress to an apartment building through a controlled access vestibule. The convenience and security of a conventional intercom is provided by this device, but without substations and their associated dedicated wiring. Communication is initiated via residential telephones which effect a ringing signal (to be sent) from the central telephone office to the device. This device automatically answers the incoming call on the line, transmits an audible signal in the preferred embodiment, enables voice communication, and disconnects.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A device connectable to a system providing a path for two way live speech communication and a calling signal, said device including speech processing circuitry incorporating a microphone, a speaker and their respective circuits, and a common line for incoming and outgoing signals, speech control circuitry providing means for discerning the origin of speech signals originating at either the microphone or incoming over said common line and operable to enable alternatively either live microphone speech signals to reach said line or live telephone line speech signals to reach the speaker depending on whichever live speech signal is introduced into said device first, said speech control circuitry including switching means operable to render, in the alternative, said microphone capable of transmitting signals over said common line or said speaker capable of receiving signals of approximately the same acoustic level incoming on said common line, said switching means including a Schmitt trigger and operable in response to signals of different magnitude, and means operable to convert incoming and outgoing signals of said level into signals of appropriately different levels and to deliver such signals to said Schmitt trigger, and a system control circuit controlled by the output of the Schmitt trigger and connectable to and controlling said system and connected to and controlling said speech processing circuitry and provided with timer means operable on said calling signal to provide a control voltage for a predetermined interval for said circuits and circuitry to effect and maintain line seizure and to release said line upon reduction in amplitude of said voltage.
- 11. A device connectable to a system providing a path for two way live speech communication and a calling signal, said device including speech processing circuitry incorporating a microphone, a speaker and their respective circuits, and a common line for incoming and outgoing signals, speech control circuitry providing means for discerning the origin of speech signals originating at either the microphone or incoming over said common line and operable to enable alternatively either live microphone speech signals to reach the speaker depending on whichever live speech signal is introduced into said device first, said speech control circuitry including switching means operable to render, in the alternative, said microphone capable of transmitting signals over said common line or said speaker capable of receiving signals of approximately the same strength incoming on said common line, said switching means including a Schmitt trigger and operable in response to signals of different magnitude, and means operable to convert incoming and outgoing signals of said strength into control operating signals of appropriately different strengths and to deliver such signals to said Schmitt trigger, and a system control circuit controlled by the output of the Schmitt trigger and connectable to and controlling said system and connected to and controlling said speech processing circuitry and provided with means operable on said calling signal to provide a control voltage to effect and maintain line seizure and to release said line upon reduction in amplitude of said voltage.
Specification