Selective paging and intercommunication system

Abstract

A battery powered paging and intercommunication system for application in a mine or other environment where it is necessary to conserve battery power comprises a plurality of transceivers electrically coupled to a common pair of signal lines. Each of the transceivers includes a push-to-talk switch for applying voice signals onto the lines as well as a push-to-page switch that amplifies received voice signals for reproduction through a loudspeaker. Each transceiver also includes dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) encoder and decoder circuitry for addressing a preselected transceiver on the lines for paging. A timer circuit within the transceiver limits the period of time the transceiver limits the period of time the transceiver is in the paging mode to reduce battery consumption. As a system check during paging, the called transceiver generates "beep-back" signals on the lines indicating to the calling transceiver that it is receiving paging signals. A second timer circuit controls a light flasher at the called transceiver to serve as a call back signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.