A system for enabling securities information to be elicited and transactions to be automatically executed by an investor from a conventional telephone. A portable pocketsized data terminal having a keyboard, a display and status indicator lamps includes an acoustic coupler device for removable attachment to a telephone handset. A centralized computer receives information signals originating with the portable data terminal and specifying information or transaction execution requests, and transmits appropriate responses to the portable data terminal for display. Several levels of security are provided in the system.

Portable securities selector system

The automobile telephone is used in a hands-free condition by coupling its handset with a cradle-shaped coupler which is provided with a pair of swingable support plates for receiving a transmitter portion and a receiver portion of the handset in use to make it possible to receive the handset regardless its size and mounting angle. On a back surface of the swingable support plates are provided a speaker and a microphone which are coupled with the transmitter portion and the receiver portion of the handset respectively so as to make it possible to use the telephone in a hands-free condition through these speaker and microphone incorporated in the cradle-shaped coupler.

Hands-free type automobile telephone and general-purpose telephone

Pocket sized telephone line data communication devices which include acoustic coupling capabilities are disclosed. The couplers have a primary body member housing a microphone (or speaker) adjacent one face surface thereof for disposition flat against the ear piece (or microphone) of a conventional telephone handset. A flexible slide structure having a speaker (or microphone) therein is coupled to the body member and is slideable with respect thereto to extend outward to cover the microphone (or earpiece) of the handset, the flexibility of the flexible member together with the slide allowing varying amounts of extension and angularity between the flexible member and the body to accommodate handsets of different spans between and angularity of the earpiece and mouthpiece thereof. With the flexible member at its extreme retracted position, the entire assembly is quite small, readily fitting within a man's shirt pocket. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Pocket sized telephone line data communication systems

An acoustic coupler such as commonly used to receive and transmit data between computer terminals over telephone lines. The acoustic coupler is constructed in two halves joined by a flexible hinge which permits the two halves to move laterally and rotationally (about the hinge) with respect to each other. Each half of the acoustic coupler is also provided with a strap for securing the telephone handset portion in place upon the acoustic coupler halves. Once secured in place the telephone handset portion can be used as a "handle" to pick up and move the acoustic coupler from place to place. One half of the acoustic coupler contains a speaker, the other half contains a microphone, which may be electrically coupled to one another by electrical paths passing through, or forming a part of, the flexible hinge member.

Flexible acoustic coupler

This universal acoustic coupler system is comprised of a pair of flexible muffs, which are rotatably mounted to permit connection to any length telephone handset receiver/transmitter; this feature also permits any varying angles of the earpiece and mouthpiece. Furthermore, the elastic structure of the muff permits the insertion of any size earpiece and mouthpiece, thereby allowing use of the muffs on an international scale. The muffs are comprised of a pair of elastic, generally circular housings, which include a speaker/microphone cavity and an earpiece/mouthpiece cavity, separated by an acoustic cavity. Features include flexible mounting arms or hinges attached to each of the muff housings. These arms have a circular aperture therein to accommodate a retaining pin which attaches the acoustic muff to an electronic input/output device. The muff attaches externally to the electronic device, and the housing folds back to overlie the mounting arms when a storage cover is put in place over the input/output device.

Universal flexible acoustic coupler muff system

In a facsimile system, an acoustic coupler is used to connect a facsimile machine through a telephone handset to a telephone line and a remote machine. When a machine is receiving, audible signals at the earpiece of the telephone handset are directed toward a microphone which is wired to the machine. The signal-to-noise ratio of received signals is improved by a preamplifier placed in the coupler as close as possible to the microphone. The preamplifier amplifies the microphone signals before they are subjected to noise or other interference in the wires leading to the receiving machine.

James M Griffith

Papers

Acoustic coupler and preamplifier for facsimile machines