US2137888A - Means and method for converting speech into visible indicia - Google Patents

Description

W. W. J. FULLER Nov. 22, 1938.

MEANS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING SPEECH INTO VISIBLE INDICIA Filed Nov. 18, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 22, 1938. w, w, J FULLER 2,137,888

MEANS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING SPEECH INTO VISIBLE INDICIA Filed Nov. 18, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I l I l l l l l l I l l I a I I l e l l I I l l l i J Nov. 22, 1938. v w. w. J. FULLER 2,137,333

mmns AND usmon FOR convnmma SPEECH INTO VISIBLE mmcn Filed NOV. 18, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet '3 w 7 j mug 3 E T as I'm-ml Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8.181.888 J mus AND METHOD I! CONVERTING SPEECH INTO wanna INDIQA This invention relates to a method and means for analysing the wave terms of spoken sounds andfor causing those spoken sounds to make a visible indication. The latter may be in the s iorm of an illuminated letter. symbol, or word sign, or on the other hand may be in the term of a permanent printed record.

It is a well known fact that speech is a complex phenomenon oi pitch or frequency diilerences: volume, intensity or amplitude difi'erences: and

quality or number and relative strength 01' partials or harmonics or wave form diilerences. In the sense of hearing, all three of these components, and the duration or time element of each, are utilized for articulation or intelligibility.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for converting intelligible sounds (primarily speech sounds) into intelligible visible indicia and, in accordance with this invention, I take into account all 0! the above mentioned factors, whereas, in the prior art, as far as I am aware, only the matter of irequency ditlerences has been considered. For this reason, no operative method oi, or apparatus for converting speech sounds into intelligible visible indicia have been produced, prior to my invention.

It is the primary object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a method and means for converting sounds into intelligible visible tom,

such as word signs, letters or characters, either exhibited, illuminated or printed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus which will make possible the conversion oi speech sound into visible form,

' for instance, to enable totally dear persons to understand, visually. the spoken word. The invention, 0! course, is not confined to use by the deal, as it is oi utility in converting speech into a permanent printed record.

According to the pinciple of this invention,

speech sounds orthe like are first converted into a corresponding pulsating current, for instance.

by the use oi a microphone, a series of filters. and an audio-frequency amplifier. This current, and an appropriate sweep circuit, control the electron beam to trace a path corresponding to the spoken sound. As is well understood, either electro-magnetic or electro-static means, that is, coils or plates, respectively, or a combination of both may be used to control deflection. 'flle voice current circuit may be connected to one pair 0! electron beam defiecting plates or coils oi the cathode ray tube, and the other pair oi plates or coils associated therewith may be connected either to a signal synchronised sweep cirouit,ortoaslgnalreleased.singlestroke sweep circuit, as protested.

Instead oi using a conventional cathode ray tube, in which the electron beam is projected directly onto a fluorescent screen, merely for s the purpose oi illuminating the same, a special type 0! target is provided in my invention. The target is associated with the cathode ray tube, in the path 01' the, electron beam, and comprises essentially a mask provided with apertures of i0 novel type, as explained below, and means behind the mask adapted to be ailected by the beam projecting through one or more oi the apertures.

The mask is provided with apertm'es positioned thereon in accordance with a plurality of lo diilerent patterns, each pattern corresponding to the wave form or path traced thereon by the electron beam when actuated or controlled by a particular previously recorded sound. Each soundadaptedtobeindicatedvisuallybytheao method and apparatus or the present invention will,oicourse,causetheelectronbeamtotrace a diilerent wave form on the mask. These curves maybetracedbeiorehandbytheuseoi oil covered photographic plate or by the discoloring oi as the metal of the mask by the electron beam. One or more apertures may then be drilled or otherwise i'ormed at convenient points along each curve, care being taken to avoid forming the apertures where the diilerent sound traces cross to one another, and to avoid too close a spacing of the apertures. For each sound trace, a diilerent position, number, size, or shape ofapertures are provided.

Whenthe eleotronbeamisactuatedandconas trolled by a predetermined sound, it will necessarily travel along the path previously recorded cnthemaskbyacorrespondingscundandwill be projected through the. aperture or apertures positioned on that path, but through no other 40 apertures.

Since, as stated, theposition, number, size or shape oi the apertures-are difierent, the eilect oithebeamproiectedtherethroughwlllbeditterentioreachsoundanditisanimportant feature of the present invention to provide means, which may be 0! several. diilerent types, for utilisingtheproiectedandscreenedbeamtoselect and actuate an apropriate visual indicator.

Three alternative ways are described below for so utilising the enersy oi the electronbeam passing through the screen to select and actuate an indicator. The first, i'or convenience, may be termed the impulse system", the second, the "charge accumulative system. and the third, the se ect fluorescent or direct illumination systern".

In the first two systems, I position behind the screen a charge accumulating or conducting device, preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of a Faraday cage. In the third, I position behind the mask a fluorescent screen, preferably provided with visible lndicia, such, for instance, as stenciled letters or word signs. For each system, a slightly different form of target mask is used, although all three are bas-' ically the same. In the impulse system, each wave form or path is provided with a plurality of apertures which differ, from pattern to pattern as to their shape, spacing and/or number. In the accumulative charge system the apertures along each sound trace diiier as regards their number or size, whereas in the third (direct illumination) system, only one aperture is provided for each sound trace, and the apertures differ from one another only in the matter of their Position.

In the first or impulse system, individual pulses are applied to the conductor positioned there behind as the electron beam travels over the apertures in the mask arranged on a particular wave form pattern. These pulses are amplified. and may be used to actuate a high speed electrical integrator or indicator for actuating printing keys. Thus, each path traversed by the electron beam will create, in the circuit connected to the target, a series of unidirectional pulses which are different from series to series in the matter of their number, duration, or periodic frequency or a combination thereof. Indicators adapted to be controlled and actuated by such pulsating currents are known in the art.

In the case of the cumulative charge system, the individual pulses imparted by the electron beam to the charge accumulator behind the mask, as a result of the passage of the beam through the several openings on a particular path, are stored 1m until the end of the sweep of the beam for that particular sound. At the end of the sweep, a circuit is closed from the target to ground, and the potential of the discharge, which will be diiferent for each sound track pattern, is utilized to control the selection of the appropriate indicator.

In the direct illumination system, the beam will pass through only one aperture during its traverse of a particular sound track. Positioned behind the mask is a fluorescent screen. adapted to be illuminated by the electron beam when it passes through the mask. Since the spot of illumination will be different for each sound trace, the mask acts as a selector. At the points on the screen, or on the end of the tube, corresponding to the spots which will be illuminated by the beam, appropriate indicia, such as letters or other characters are positioned, so that they will be illuminated or indicated by the luminous spots on the fluorescent surface. Consequently, a letter or other character corresponding to the spoken sound will be illuminated by the electron beam.

Thus, the spoken sound automatically controls the actuation of a particular indicating means, so that a visual indication corresponding to it is made.

As stated above, when either of the first two ways is used, there is positioned behind the mask a charge receiving device which may be in the nature of a Faraday cage. Such a device is particularly desirable in the charge accumulative system, because means must be provided to receive the successive charges projected through the screen. The same device may be used in the impulse system, or a simple plate of material of high electron absorption coefficient may be substituted. The mask should be insulated from the conducting or accumulating member, and this insulation is accomplished by Spacing the members apart and, if desired, connecting the mask to ground. The apertures in the mask should have well defined, sharp edges.

Ii a Faraday cage type of collector is associated with the mask, its front face preferably is provided'with openings registering with the pattern openings in the screen so that electrons projecting through the openings can enter the cage to be absorbed by the walls thereof, but so that the electrons will be restrained from being reflected outwardly thereof.

In practicing my invention, it is essential that all of the sound waves traced on the target start from the same point and that all are released or set in operation by the voice itself. Each sound wave or trace will be different from the others. and the apertures are so located on the difIerent traces as to take advantage of these differences most eillciently.

When the impulse system is used, the charge absorbing and conducting element behind the screen may be connected through appropriate amplification to a counter or indicator of the type used in teletype work or any other type of indicator, adapted to be actuated by the number, frequency and/or duration of the successive pulses may be used. The charge absdrbing and conducting member behind the screen in the impulse system is so connected that the impulses are registered on the indicator circuit immediately as the electron beam traverses the pattern and projects through the openings thereon.

In the case of the charge accumulating method, the charges resulting from the projection of the beam through the several openings are stored up during the entire time that the beam travels across the mask, and means must be provided for discharging this accumulated charge at the end of the travel of the beam, so that the current may be utilized to effect the necessary selection of the proper indicating means. This means may comprise an auxiliary electrode positioned at the end of the several traces. adapted to close a circuit, by an appropriate relay, so that the accumulated current will flow from the collector to ground. By the interposition of an appropriate resistor in the last mentioned circuit, the potential drop across it will be applied to an appropriate amplification circuit to control the indicators. Alternatively, I may use a relay tube interposed in the beam sweep circuit to close the circuit from the collector to ground when the current has risen sumciently high in the sweep circuit to have moved the beam all the way across the target.

with my invention, either of two circuits. termed "sweep circuits" may be used to con trol the movement of the beam across the target. The flrst may be described as a voice released sweep circuit, which consists of a circuit adapted to cause the beam to make a single, relatively slow stroke across the target for each sound. The second is a voice synchronized sweep circuit, which is recurrent, i. e., similar to the so-called sawtooth relaxation oscillation impulses. In this type, the beam makes a great ans-aces plurality of strokes across the target during each sound. In the former, a constant period of time is consumed by the beam during each traverse of the target. In the latter. the sweep velocity bears a definite sub-multiple relationship to the voice frequencies.

The voice stroke, signal released sweep circuit is preferable in certain cases, but it. must be understood that my invention is not limited thereto. A control electrode is located at the beginning position of rest to which the beam is normally directed when no voice current is in the sound circuit. When a current is impressed upon this circuit, by the admission of a sound, the beam will be deflected by the detector plates or coils in the cathode ray tube and will then be removed from the control electrode. Such removal of the beam will make a change in the current in a circuit connected to that electrode, which, through an appropriate thermionic relay, will start the operation oi the sweep circuit to move the beam across the target. An electronic time delay may be inserted in this circuit, e. g., a current limiting tube, that is, one which draws a constant plate current may be used to decrease or control the sweep velocity if desired.

As is well known in the art, appropriate weak couplings between the impressed voice currents and the time base circuit may be used for "looking or maintaining a relationship between the voice current and the rate of sweep or time of horizontal traverse.

In the foregoing general description, mention has been made of the use of a single electron beam tube in connection with this invention, but, for certain purposes, it is often desirable to use two or more such tubes connected in parallel. If it is desired to make the apparatus capable of indicating a great plurality of difiering sounds, it is of advantage to use a plurality of electron tubes, each of which is provided with a screen having the openings thereof arranged on different patterns so that each tube controls a different group of visual indicators and is adapted to be actuated by a correspondingly different group of sounds. In such a case, the beam of electrons in each tube may move simultaneously along the same wave form, for each sound, but the mask in only one tube will have openings corresponding to each wave form, and that tube alone will be operative to control an indicator.

Alternatively, the tubes connected in parallel may be arranged in such a circuit that they operate in sequence so that one tube will operate at the beginning of a rather long sound, another tube at the middle portion thereof, and if desired, a third tube at the end of the sound. Each tube has associated with it a screen having a plurality of patterns corresponding to sound waves of the type that will be traced thereon as a result of the particular sounds which will control the beams. Thus, the apparatus in accordance with this conception. will be capable of taking care of long and involved sounds.

Although the accumulative charge system described generally above has certain desirable features, it is inherently limited in the number of wave forms that can be analyzed, by reason of the fact that the amount of the charge that can be stored up in the charge accumulator is definitely limited by the nature and size thereof, and by the fact that the selection is based simply on magnitude of charge. With the impulse system, the charge absorbing and conducting member imposes no such limitation, because an almost infinite number of variations in the number, frequency, and duration of impulses can be worked out. As stated above. may electrical cir cults and systems for receiving and discriminating between electrical impulses are known in the art, and the system described below is illustrative only. Because of the shortness of the pulses and of the intervals between the pulses, it is preferable that the electric circuit be of a nature as to permit the functioning of the counter or indicator and/or to compensate for the time (actor of the printing mechanism used. The circuit retains, delays or spreads out the pulses until such time as the printer is clear and releases them at a rate which mechanical keys can follow. I prefer to use a gas vapor electron tube, of the thyratron type. It is essential to prevent the interpreting impulses from outstripping or getting ahead of the time limitations of the particular high speed counter or printing mechanism adapted to be controlled thereby.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown diagramatically a number of difierent methods and means for accomplishing the obiects of this invention. It must be understood that the drawings are illustrative only, and are not restrictive of the invention.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a modification;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail at one end of the cathode ray tube of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the device of Figure 3;

' Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of a cathode ray tube which may be used in connection with the method and apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of one form of the invention;

Figure 7 is a modified circuit which may be used with the circuit of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an apertured mask which may be used with the cathode ray tube;

Figure 9 is a circuit diagram of a modificatron, in which two cathode ray tubes are connected in parallel; and

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of a novel printing mechanism.

Figure 1 shows one plan of arrangement of the various elements of the invention. A telephone transmitter or microphone l is connected to suitable amplification 2, and thence to a filter or series of filters 3. A sweepcircuit l is interposed between the filter and the electron beam tube 6. The cathode ray device may be provided with a metallic envelope, and includes horizontal plates 6 and vertical plates 1 which cause deflection of the cathode ray beam in two directions. Thus, the beam will trace a wave form path across an apertured mask 8. Positioned behind the mask is a collector or conductor 9, which, for instance,- may be a Faraday cage. This is connected, through appropriate amplification Ill, to an indicator or printer II.

In the circuit from the filter 3 to the horizontal plates 6, I may provide, it desired. an amplitude control device I! for the currents in that circuit.

In the system of Figure 2, instead of using a charge collector with the cathode ray tube, I provide a fluorescent screen I 3 and a plurality of visual indicators i4, adapted to be illuminated to make a proper indication. ls shown in I'llure 3. the inner surface of the end face of the tube may be provided with a coating of fiuorescent material is. such as calcium or strontium tungstste. sine sulphate or the like. Ordinarily. such materials are poor conductors. and in order to increase the excited time life of the material. it is desirable to compound therewith a good conductor to spread the fiuoreecence. Moreover. it lsdesirabletoaddatraceodieadtoincrease the sensitivity of the coating.

Onthesurfaceoftheendfaceofthetubel provide a plurality of visual indicia ll, which maybeintheformof dark figuresonatransluccnt ground or stenciled openings in a relatively o aque coat. These figures may be illuminated directly by the fluorescent material positioned therebehind, or, small spots may be illuminated immediately above or below each indicia.

ThescreenlassociatcdwiththetubeofFigures 2 and 3 is provided with a plurality oi aperturcs it, ll. etc.. each being adapted to illuminate a difi'erent indicia when the electron beam projects therethrough. The apertures are positioned so that one aperture only lies on each wave form path adapted to be traversed by the beam. Thus, only one indicia will be illuminated by each sound.

Referring to Figures ti and t, a screen adapted tobeusedwiththesystemofFigurel isdisclosed. This screen has a plurality of openings it, It, etc., l1, l1, spaced along the paths It, it, etc., adapted to be traversed by the electron beam as controlled by different sounds. As stated above. the number, sise, shape or spacing of the openings along the paths are difierent. Consequently, the collector it. which may be in the form of a Faraday cage It. will be subjected to diflerent amounts, numbers, or frequencies oi electron charges for each wave form path traversed by the beam. These charges or impulses are conducted from the collector by an appro- Driate circuit through appropriate amplification to the indicator or printer ii.

Referring to Figure 6, the microphone or telephone transmitter i is shown as connected to a conventional resistance capacitance coupled twostage amplifier 28. A three-stage filter chain a is shown connected to the output of the ampliher but, of course. it must be understood that the filter chain could precede the amplification. The number of filter units or elements shown in the chain is arbitrary, as any suitable or desired.

number may be used. Although a particular class of filter is shown. it should be \mderstood that high pass, low pass or band pass filters may be substituted.

In circuit with the filters and the cathode ray tube. there is a sweep circuit 4. which, as shown in Figure 6. is of the signal synchronised. recurrent stroke typ This circuit applies electrical charges to the vertically disposed plates to impart horizontal movement -to the beam, to cause the beam to sweep longitudinally of the screen. The voice current is also applied to the other pair of plates 0 to control the movement of the beam in the opposite direction.

AsindicatedatllinFlguredacircuitis provided in which the impulses from the Faraday cage II are applied, successively to the grids of a plurality of vapor discharge electron tubes. An amplifier or any means or device for accelerating the electron motion may be used between the cage and the first tube in the circuit 1!. The tubesofthiscircuitarearrangedinamanner known as a ring circuit, and impulses imparted theretoarestoredupinthetubessuccessively and are removed therefrom successively by the final tube 2!. which also restores each tube successively to its former condition. These impulses, as discharged from the tube it. serve to actuate a printing mechanism of any desired type such, for instance. as shown in Figure 10. Any equivalent circuit, adapted to perform the general function of retaining the impulses. or of accommodating the inherent time delay of mechanical printing mechanism is suitable.

In the circuit of Figure 6. and interposed between the voice circuit and the printing magnet II, there is an appropriate electronic time delay It. This device is adjustable so that a printing impulse will be applied to the printing magnet it through conductors It following a predetermined time after the initiation of current in the voice circuit.

Thus, the circuit II is a time delay to permit the individual impulses to be recorded on the printing device. so that the inherent time factor of the mechanical printing device will be compensated for and each impulse will have its proper effect on the counter. The time circuit it controls the printing impulse, and delays that impulse sufllciently to permit the printer to have been moved to the proper position before printing. If simple words are used, this control is superfiuous.

Instead of using a separate circuit for controlling the printing impulse, that impulse m y betransmittedoverthesame circuitastheindicator selecting impulses by the use of a voice synchronized motor. clutch driven series of cams to distribute or direct the selection of a final path to the printing key of a particular sound.

In Figure I, an alternative sweep circuit II is shown. Such a circuit is a single stroke. s al released circuit. In connection with this type of circuit, one may use a control electrode I! (Figure 8), associated with the mask I. when the electron beam is caused to move of! of the control electrode 21 at the position of rest by a current fiowing in the voice circuit. the tube It (Figure '1) will permit the flow 0! current through the sweep circuit, and as this current gradually increases, the beam moves. relatively slowly. across the target. When a predetermined potential has been thus created in the sweep circuit, the beam will have traveled all the way across the screen, and the relay 31 will close. 'Ihereupon, a printing impulseotcurrentwillfiowthroushthe wires as to the printing solenoid It associated with the indicator. Thevoicecurrentfiowsintotbiscircult through wires It, connected to the horizontallydisposedplatesiotthe cathoderaytube. Instead of using the relay TI to initiate printingimpulseattheendottbetraverseoithe beam across the target, an auxiliary control electrode 11' (Figure 8) maybeprovided,andinsuch a case, that electrode should be connected through an appropriate time delay circuit, such as that shown at I in Figure 6 to the printing solenoid.

Figure 9 discloses a preferred manner in which two ormorecathoderaytubeslandl' maybe connected in parallel. In this diagrammatic i1- lustration, the signal input is represented at 40 and the sweep input at I. The sweep circuits l2, 48, associated with each tube m y be adjusted to work simultaneously: to 1m!" r tiallysoastomakcadifierentwave tor-micrthe same sound. Alternatively, one circuit may operate subsequently to the other, by the interaromas position of a switch in the circuit actuated b! an appropriate electronic time delay device.

The term of printing mechanism. disclosed dis: grammatically in Figure 10 has certain features for use with my invention. A printing drum ll is loosely mounted on a shaft 4!, and is provided with a coil spring l1 connected at one of its ends to the hub 48 and at its other end to a stationary part, such as a builer 49. An annular ratchet ill is attached to the drum, so that movement may be imparted thereto by the springpressed pawl 5| pivoted to the actuating lever 52. A series of printing keys lit are mounted around the periphery of the drum. Below the drum appropriate means are provided for supporting and actuating, step by step, a printing ribbon 54 and a strip of paper it or the equivalent thereof. A Ti in cia vertically movable, two-position printing platen II is disposed beneath the paper. A cam -or lug 81 associated with the drum ll is positioned to close contacts 58 when the drum is at rest and is in the start position, as determined by the butler it and cooperating stop lug N. In circuit with the contacts 58 is a solenoid it, which will raise the printing platen 58 when energized. The platen has an inclined surtace or wedge 6| which will control the position of the normally open springpressed contacts 62, in circuit with a magnet pr solenoid ll, which is adapted to shift the position of lever 04 to disengage pawl II and locking detent 85 to permit the spring 41 to return the drum to start position. impulses-from the circuit 28 or the equivalent are applied to the countor-mechanism by conductors I0, and through an appropriate relay Ii and battery 12, actuate the counting magnet ll. For each impulse thus imparted, to magnet II, the lever 52 will move one stroke, and the drum, through the pawl and ratchet mechanism 50, BI will be moved. The printing impulses, either irom conductors it of the circuit of Figure 'l, or from the conductors 29, Figure 6, are applied to the printing solenoid or relay 28 to actuate the lever ll which depresses the appropriate printing key 53, to print an indicia corresponding to the sound emitted. Depression of the printing key It results in a downward movement of the wedge BI and a closing of the contacts 62. Thereupon, themagnet 63 is energized and the lever 84 shifted to position to disengage the pawl BI and detent 85, to permit the drum to return to its original position. Such action closes the contacts BI and energizes the solenoid 60, whereupon the platen is shifted to its upper position for a subsequent printing operation, and the lever is shifted to permit the detent and pawl li again to engage the ratchet. Thus, the parts are in position for the next printing operation.

It must be understood that any well known type of impulse printer may be substituted for the novel one disclosed herein.

If it is desired to use an instantaneous volume control in connection with thisinvention, a control oi the type shown in United States Patent No. 1,737,830 is suitable.

I claim:-

I. The method of producing visible intelligible indicia corresponding to intelligible audible sounds, comprising propagating such a sound, projecting a movable beam, causing satd beam to traverse a wave form path, controlling the form or said path by said sound, providing a plurality of indicators, each adapted to indicate a visible indicia corresponding to an intelligible audible sound, selecting, by means controlled by said wave form path, the indicator corresponding to the sound utilised to control the form thereof, aminactuating said indicator to make said indicia visi e.

2. The method of producing a visible intelligible indicia corresponding to intelligible sounds, comprising propagating such a sound, projectins amovingbeamontoatarget,causingsaidbeam to traverse a wave form path on said target corresponding to said sound. providing a plurality of visible intelligible indicators, selecting an indicator corresponding to said sound by selection efiected by said wave form path on said target tratzersed by said beam, and actuating said indica r.

3. The method of producing visible intelligible corresponding to intelligible audible sounds, comprising providing a target having a plurality of active areas thereon, said areas being arranged in accordance with a plurality of wave form patterns corresponding to predetermined audible sounds, propagating a sound, projecting a beam and causing the same to traverse a wave form path on said target, controlling the term of said path by said sound to substantially coincide with one of said patterns on said target, and actuating an indicator corresponding to said sound by energy transmitted through the active areas 0! said pattern.

4. The method of producing visible intelligible indicia corresponding to intelligible audible sounds, comprising providing a target having a plurality of isolated electron transmissive spots thereon arranged in accordance with a plurality of patterns, propagating an audible sound, projecting a beam of electrons onto said target, causing the same to traverse a wave form path, controlling the form of said path by said sound. and causing the same to substantially coincide with one oi said patterns, and using the beam of electrons encountering said transmissive spots 'on said target to select an indicator correspondin to said sound.

5. The method of producing visible intelligible indicia corresponding to predetermined sounds, comprising propagating such a sound, projecting an electron beam, causing the beam to traverse a wave form path corresponding to said sound. masking said beam during a portion of said path, and utilizing the beam during the unmasked portion of the path to control the selection and actuation of a visual indicator corresponding to said sound.

6. The method of producing visible intelligible indicia corresponding to predetermined sounds, comprising propagating such a sound, projecting an electron beam, causing the beam to traverse a wave form path corresponding to said sound, masking said beam during a portion or its traverse of said path and unmasking it during another portion, providing visual indicators tor a plurality of predetermined sounds, and selecting the proper indicator corresponding to said propagated sound by the beam during the unmasked portion of its traverse of said path.

7. The method of producing visible intelligible indicia corresponding to predetermined sounds, comprising propagating such a sound. projecting an electron beam, causing the beam to traverse a wave form path corresponding to said sound, masking'saidbeamduring aportion of its traverse oi said path and unmasking it during other interrupted portions and thereby causing an intermittent projection of said beam beyond thernask,andutilisingthesumoftheprojectime or said beam during the unmasked portions to control the selection of an indicator corresponding to said sound.

8. The method 0! producing visible intelligible indicia corresponding to predetermined sounds. comprising propagating such a sound. projecting an electron beam. causing the beam to traverse a wave iorm path corresponding to said sound. maskingsaidbeamduringaportionoiits traverseoissidpathandunmaskingitduring other interrupted portions and thereby causing an intermittent projection oi said beam beyond the mask, and utilizing the number or duration or frequency oi the projections oi the beam during the unmasked portions of the path to control the selection of an indicator corresponding to said sound.

indicia corresponding to predetermined sounds. comprising propagating such a sound, projecting an electron beam. causing the beam to traverse a wave form path corresponding to said sound. masking said beam during the major portion of its traverse of said path and unmasking it at a single definite point in its path and thereby causing a single isolated projection of said beam beyond the mask during its traverse of said path. and utilising said projection oi said beam to control the selection of an indicator corresponding to said sound.

10. The method oi producing visible intelligible indicia corresponding to predetermined sounds, comprising propagating such a sound. m lesting an electron beam, causing the beam to traverse a wave form path corresponding to said sound masking said beam during the major portion of its traverse of said path and unmasking it at a single definite point in its path and thereby causing a single isolated projection of said beam beyond the mask during its traverse oi said path, and utilizing said projection of said beam to illuminate a fluorescent area to make visible an indicia corresponding to said sound.

11. An apparatus for converting intelligible sounds into visible intelligible indicia comprising means for producing an undulating current correspondingtoaparticularsoimdmeanstorprojecting a iocussed beam 0! electrons, means for causing said beam to traverse a wave form path corresponding to said undulating current. a plurality of visual indicators corresponding to a plurality oi said sounds, and selector means controlled by the beam in its traverse oi said wave form path to control the actuation of one of said indicators corresponding to the sound producing said undulating current.

12. Electron control apparatus comprising, in combination, means [or projecting a beam of electrons. means ior causing said beam to traverse-a wave form path and (or controlling the contour of said path. an electron absorber positioned to be encountered by said beam. and a mask interposed between said source and said electron absorber, said mask being imperlorate throughout the major portion oi its area and 9. The method oi producing visible intelligible having a plurality oi holes therethrough, said holes being arranged to coincide with a path or predetermined contour traversed by said beam of electrons under the control of said means. thereby to eilect projection oi said beam through the holes in said mask and the contact thereoi upon said absorber.

13. Means for converting speech sounds into visible indicia comprising means for projecting a beam of electrons, means for causing the beam to traverse a diflerent path for each sound, a screen in the field of said beam oi electrons, said screen having a plurality of patterns oi periarations thereon. each pattern coinciding with a particular path. a plurality of indicators and means sotuated by the projection of said electron beam through said screen to select an indicator corresponding to the pattern traversed by said beam and to the corresponding sound.

it. An apparatus ior converting sounds into visible indicia comprising a microphone. means for filtering and amplifying voice currents controlled by said microphone, a cathode ray tube, circuits for controlling the projection oi the electron beam therein as to amplitude and time, a perforated screen associated with said tube. a charge selector positioned behind the screen. and a printing device adapted to be controlled by said charge selector.

\ WALLACE WA'I'I J. FUHER.

CERTIFIOAIE 01" CORRECTION.

rasent lio u 2.157.888 e llovnaber 22, 1938 It is hereby certified that the name or the patenteelin the above mmbored patent was erroneously Irittenandprintedas "Wallace Hatt I mler" whereas said name should have been written and printedaswailaoe H. Fuller, as shown bythe records oi this office; andthat the said letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein thatthe same may eonrorn to the record oi' the ease in the Pateht Office.

. signed and sealed this ll th day or February, MD. 1939.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Cosmissioner of Patents.

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