US3711648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communication system providing combined audio-video service
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-01
•
Granted: 1973-01-16
•
Expires: 1991-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A communication system for combined audio-video service utilizes at the subscriber''s station two separate line circuits, one being the normal audio-only line to the telephone central office and the other, a special six-wire line, extending from the premises to a video switching network and providing both audio and video signals and transmission on all audio-video calls both incoming and outgoing. The video switching network provides switching facilities for combined audio-video calls exclusively for combined service subscribers in the area.
Inventors
- 👤 W Whitney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:31
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, a first telephone set at a subscriber''s station for audio-only communication, number pulsing means at said first telephone set, a second telephone set at the station for combined audio-video communication, a video switching network for destination switching of audio-video calls exclusively, a first line connecting said first telephone set with a telephone switching exchange, a second line connecting said second telephone set to said video switching network, means for activating said second telephone set, means for connecting the output of said number pulsing means to said second line, means following operation of said activating means for disconnecting the output of said pulsing means from said second line and for connecting said second telephone set to said second line, a control key included in said means for activating said second telephone set, a first multi-contact pick-up key and a first control relay associated with said first line, a second multi-contact pick-up key and a second control relay associated with said second line, said pickup keys being mechanically connected whereby operation of said first key is effective to release said second key and vice versa, the operating path of said first relay including a make contact of said first pick-up key and the operating path of said second relay including a make contact of said second pick-up key, a common path connected to said two operating paths, and parallel paths to ground connected to said common path, the first of said parallel paths including a make contact controlled by said first telephone set and the second of said parallel paths including a make contact of said control key and a break contact controlled by said first telephone set.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, a first telephone set at a subscriber''s station for audio-only communication, number pulsing means at said first telephone set, a second telephone set at the station for combined audio-video communication, a video switching network for destination switching of audio-video calls exclusively, a first line connecting said first telephone set with a telephone switching exchange, a second line connecting said second telephone set to said video switching network, means for activating said second telephone set, means for connecting the output of said number pulsing means to said second line, means following operation of said activating means for disconnecting the output of said pulsing means from said second line and for connecting said second telephone set to said second line, a control key included in said means for activating said second telephone set, a first multi-contact pick-up key and a first control relay associated with said first line, a second multi-contact pick-up key and a second control relay associated with said second line, said pickup keys being mechanically connected whereby operation of said first key is effective to release said second key and vice versa, the operating path of said first relay including a make contact of said first pick-up key and the operating path of said second relay including a make contact of said second pick-up key, a common path connected to said two operating paths, and parallel paths to ground connected to said common path, the first of said parallel paths including a make contact controlled by said first telephone set and the second of said parallel paths including a make contact of said control key and a break contact controlled by said first telephone set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, the combination defined by claim 1 further characterized in a third relay included in said disconnecting and connecting means, the operating path of said third relay including a make contact of said control key and a path to ground through a make contact of said second control relay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, the combination defined by claim 2 further characterized in a hold key, a break contact of said hold key being included in said common path portion connected to the operating paths of said first and said second control relays whereby operation of said hold key is effective to open said operating paths and release either of said first and second control relays which is operated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, the combination defined by claim 3 further characterized in a first line relay connected in said first line, a second line relay connected in said second line, an operating path for each of said line relays, a shunting path for each of said operating paths, a make contact of said first control relay connected in the shunting path for the operating path of said first line relay, and a make contact of said second control relay connected in the shunting path for the operating path of said second line relay whereby operation of either said first or said second control relay will cause release of the respective first or second line relay if such relay is in operated position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, a combination defined by claim 4 further characterized in a first holding bridge across said first line and a second holding bridge across said second line, a first slow release relay and a first slow operate relay associated with said first line, a second slow release relay and a second slow operate relay associated with said second line, a make contact of said respective first and second control relays included in the operate paths of said respective first and second slow release relays, a make contact of said respective first and second line relays included in the operate paths of said respective first and second slow operate relays, said first holding bridge including a resistor and respective make contacts of said first slow release relay and said first slow operate relay and said second holding bridge including a resistor and respective make contacts of said second slow release relay and said second slow operate relay whereby operation of either said first or said second slow release and slow operate relays is effective to close a respective one of said holding bridges across the associated line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, the combination defined by claim 5 further characterized in a locking path for said first slow release relay and a locking path for said second slow release relay, said first locking path including a make contact of said first slow release relay itself and a make contact of said first slow operate relay, and said second locking path including a make contact of said second slow release relay itself and a make contact of said second slow operate relay whereby operation of either of said slow operate relays with the respective one of said slow release relays in operated position is effective to close the locking path of that relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, the combination defined by claim 6 further characterized in that the operate path of said third relay also includes a path to ground through a make contact of said second slow release relay in parallel to said path to ground through a make contact of said second control relay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, the combination defined by claim 7 further characterized in a marker associated with said video switching network, a number group translator also associated with said video switching network, said number group translator including a relatively large number of different possible inputs corresponding generally to directory numbers, a relatively small number of fixed outputs corresponding generally to the actual number of audio-video subscribers of the area, an electronic AND gate in each of said outputs, a relay controlled by each of said AND gates for control of respective crosspoint closures of selected line equipment corresponding to a respective audio-video service line, and cross connecting leads for connecting selected ones of said inputs to respective ones of said AND gates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a combined audio-video communication system, the combination defined by claim 7 further characterized in a first ringer associated with said first line having an operating path, a second ringer associated with said second line also having an operating path, and means effective when a respective one of said slow operate relays is operated and when the corresponding respective one of said slow release relays is non-operated for closing the operating path of a respective one of said ringers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |