US 4,490,584 A · Infrared remote telephone system level control

Abstract

A telephone system having a remote microphone and associated transmitter, and a network located receiver for signals outgoing over the telephone network and including a local loudspeaker to broadcast signals incoming over the telephone network wherein the loudspeaker audio level is controlled to vary with the level of the received microphone signal. The level of the loudspeaker signal is increased when the received microphone signal increases, and vice versa, allowing the user to control the loudspeaker level by adjusting mouth-to-microphone distance or speech loudness. In particular implementation the signal applied to the network from the remote microphone receiver is automatically attenuated above a certain level to match network requirements. The degree of attenuation is used to cause a corresponding increase in the loudspeaker volume level. Harmful feedback is avoided since loop gain remains constant. Proper microphone signal level and loudspeaker volume are assured by the reflex reaction of bringing the microphone closer to the mouth or speaking louder if loudspeaker volume is too soft.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A user communication system comprising:

means for applying user generated signals to a network, said means having controllable gain;
means for receiving signals from the network for local reproduction with controllable signal level;
and
means for oppositely adjusting the amplitude of the signals applied to the network and the signal level of the locally reproduced signal according to the level of the user generated signals, wherein:
said means for oppositely adjusting reduces the gain of the applying means as the amplitude of the user generated signals increase.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Infrared remote telephone system level control

Life of this patent

Infrared remote telephone system level control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12