US4110725A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sequential tone acoustic command link
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1977-04-14
•
Granted: 1978-08-29
•
Expires: 1997-04-14
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic multi-tone code signal is transmitted through a water environment to a receiver unit which includes a multi-tone code decoder. If the signal-to-noise ratio of the input signal is above a certain threshold, only then will the coded signal be passed on to the decoder which will provide an output control signal in accordance with the particular code.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Petrosky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 05:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L27/00; H04L27/26; H04L27/30; H04B; H04B11/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S331/00; Y10S331/02; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A receiver for an acoustic transmission system wherein a multi-tone code signal is acoustically transmitted, comprising: (A) transducer means responsive to said acoustically transmitted multi-tone code signal for providing a corresponding electrical multi-tone code input signal; (B) a phase lock loop circuit including a VCO and a phase comparator adapted to receive said input signal and the output signal of said VCO; (c) said phase comparator being of the type to provide, in response to its two input signals, (i) an output control signal for governing the frequency of said VCO output signal, and (ii) a phase output signal indicative of the degree of lock between said input signal and said VCO output signal, said degree of lock being indicative of the signal-to-noise ratio of said input signal; (D) gating means operable, when enabled, to pass said VCO output signal; (E) means for enabling said gating means when said signal-to-noise ratio is above a predetermined level; and (F) a multi-tone code decoder responsive to said passed output signal for providing control signals in accordance with said code signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A receiver for an acoustic transmission system wherein a multi-tone code signal is acoustically transmitted, comprising: (A) transducer means responsive to said acoustically transmitted multi-tone code signal for providing a corresponding electrical multi-tone code input signal; (B) a phase lock loop circuit including a VCO and a phase comparator adapted to receive said input signal and the output signal of said VCO; (c) said phase comparator being of the type to provide, in response to its two input signals, (i) an output control signal for governing the frequency of said VCO output signal, and (ii) a phase output signal indicative of the degree of lock between said input signal and said VCO output signal, said degree of lock being indicative of the signal-to-noise ratio of said input signal; (D) gating means operable, when enabled, to pass said VCO output signal; (E) means for enabling said gating means when said signal-to-noise ratio is above a predetermined level; and (F) a multi-tone code decoder responsive to said passed output signal for providing control signals in accordance with said code signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for enabling includes: (A) a filter network adapted to receive, and low pass filter said phase output signal; and (B) a threshold circuit responsive to said filtered phase output signal and operable to provide an enabling signal to said gating means when said filtered phase output signal is above a certain threshold level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein; (A) said threshold level is adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: (A) said filter network has a first response time to current passing therethrough in a first direction and a second response time to current passing therethrough in a second and opposite direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein: (A) said second response time is faster than said first response time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said filter network includes: (A) first and second circuit points; (B) a first resistance connected between said circuit points; (C) a capacitor connected between said second circuit point and a reference potential; and (D) a series arrangement of a second resistance and a diode connected between said circuit points in parallel with said first resistance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes: (A) a multi-tone code decoder of the type which provides a code received output signal after receipt of said multi-tone code signal; and (B) means for preventing further decoding by said multi-tone code decoder until a predetermined time duration after provision of said code received signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a multi-group multi-tone code signal is transmitted and which includes: (A) a plurality of said multi-tone code decoders each operable to function upon provision of an enabling signal and each being operable to provide a code received output signal after receipt of a multi-tone code signal; and (B) enabling circuitry for sequentially enabling said plurality of multi-tone code decoders so that each may decode one code signal of said group.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein three multi-tone code decoders are provided and wherein said enabling circuitry includes: (A) first and second flip-flop devices each operable in a set and reset state of operation; (B) a gate circuit; (C) said first flip-flop, when in said reset state, being operable to enable a first of said decoders; (D) said first flip-flop being responsive to a code receive output signal from said first decoder to be placed into said set state; (E) said gating circuit being responsive to the set state of said first flip flop and the reset state of said second flip-flop to provide an enabling signal to a second of said decoders; (F) said second flip-flop being responsive to a code received output signal from said second decoder to be placed into said set state; (G) said second flip-flop, when in said second state being operable to enable the third of said decoders; (H) said first and second flip-flops being responsive to a code received output signal from said third decoder to be placed into said reset state, whereby said first decoder is again enabled.
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) | 1981-08-28 | 1982-02-27 | 1982-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-28 | 1986-02-27 | 1986-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-28 | 1990-02-27 | 1990-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |