Method and device for distinguishing among a plurality of devices and data elements with a sequence of signals

• US 6,728,369 B2
• Filed: 10/12/1999
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Company KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Burgess, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/415,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20030123643A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.26, 379/93.27, 379/386, 379/210
• 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 addressing a plurality of devices on a network comprising:

defining a plurality of addresses, where each address is a unique sequence of two or more signals, where each signal in a respective sequence has a frequency, and

at least one signal has a predetermined duration;

or

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

or

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

assigning one of the plurality of addresses to each device;

where the combination of pause, duration, or pause and duration, with frequency distinguishes one address from another.

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

3. A plurality of addresses for a plurality of devices on a network, each address comprising:

a unique sequence of two or more signals assigned to a respective device, where each signal in the sequence has a frequency; and

at least one signal has a predetermined duration;

or

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

or

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

where the combination of pause, duration, or pause and duration, with frequency distinguishes one address from another.

4. A plurality of addresses as set forth in claim 3 where the signals are DTMF.

5. A code for addressing a plurality of devices on a network, the code comprising a plurality of unique sequences of two or more signals, where each signal in a respective sequence has a frequency:

and

at least one signal has a predetermined duration;

or

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

or

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

where the combination of pause, duration, or pause and duration, with frequency distinguishes one sequence from another.

6. A code as set forth in claim 5 where the signals are DTMF.