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Teleconference system

  • US 4,712,231 A
  • Filed: 04/06/1984
  • Issued: 12/08/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1984
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A teleconferencing system for use with at least one communication link and for use with at least one microphone which generates a microphone signal and for use with at least one loudspeaker for generating sound in response to a loudspeaker signal, comprising:

  • input/output means for receiving from a communication link a receive signal carrying a distant speech signal which represents distant speech occurring in time, and for sending a send signal onto a communication link;

    microphone signal input means for receiving a microphone signal carrying a local speech signal which represents local speech occurring in time;

    loudspeaker output means for passing a loudspeaker signal to a loudspeaker;

    send mode/receive mode determining means for generating an electrical signal representative of a mode of suppression of either a send mode of suppression or a receive mode of suppression, said mode determining means detecting the occurrence of distant speech as represented by said distant speech signal carried by said receive signal and detecting the occurrence of local speech as represented by said local speech signal carried by said microphone signal, said determining means being responsive to the order in time of the detection of said distant speech and said local speech for generating said electrical signal representative of a said mode of suppression, said send mode/receive mode determining means including interrupt means for monitoring at least one occurrence within a predetermined time interval of both said local speech and said distant speech for switching said mode of suppression as represented by said electrical signal; and

    variable gain circuitry means for generating said loudspeaker signal, said loudspeaker signal carrying said distant speech signal in response to said receive signal, said variable gain circuitry means for generating said send signal, said send signal carrying said local speech signal in response to said micrphone signal, said circuitry means including suppression means for controlling the gain of said loudspeaker signal and the gain of said send signal in accordance with the mode of suppression represented by said electrical signal.

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