Method and device for decoding a sequence of signals

• US 6,078,660 A
• Filed: 09/27/1996
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Stromberg-Carlson
• Original Assignee: Siemens Communications Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Burgess, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US08/720,124
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.26, 379/93.27, 379/386
• US Class Current: 379/386
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/453 in which m-out-of-n signalling frequencies are transmitted

Abstract

A method and device for decoding a sequence of signals in which information is derived, in part, from a duration of (a) one of the signals and/or (b) an inter-signal pause between two of the signals. The method and device may also be used to decode a signal to form decoded information, derived, in part, from a duration of the signal.

Claims

1. A method for distinguising among a plurality of devices on a network or among a plurality of data elements, comprising the steps of:

assigning a sequence of two or more signals to a device or data element, where each signal in the sequence has a frequency, and

at least one signal has a specific duration;

or

the sequence has a time-specific pause between at least two adjacent signals;

or

at least one signal has a specific duration and the sequence has a time-specific pause between at least two adjacent signals;

receiving one of the assigned sequences of signals;

detecting the frequency and duration of the signals in the received sequence and time-specific pauses between adjacent signals in the sequence; and

in response to the step of detecting, identifying the device or data element corresponding to the received sequence of signals.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 where the signals are DTMF.

3. A system for distinguishing among a plurality of devices on a network or among a plurality of data elements, comprising:

means for assigning a sequence of two or more signals to a device or data element, where each signal in the sequence has a frequency, and

at least one signal has a specific duration;

or

the sequence has a time-specific pause between at least two adjacent signals;

or

at least one signal has a specific duration and the sequence has a time-specific pause between at least two adjacent signals;

means for receiving one of the assigned sequences of signals;

means for detecting the frequency and duration of the signals in the received sequence and time-specific pauses between adjacent signals in the sequence; and

means, responsive to the means for detecting, for identifying the device or data element corresponding to the received sequence of signals.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 where the signals are DTMF.