Remote voice-controlled system of unmanned smoke generator devices

Abstract

A voice channel remote control system for operating remote smoke generatorsor battlefield operations. The system includes a transmission end for sending a voice channel signal and a receiving end for receiving and acting on the signal. A tone generator for sending a tone signal of a least one tone digit from the transmission end is included. Also included is a microphone at the receiving end for receiving the tone signal. A tone decoder is operably connected to the microphone pickup, with the decoder being adapted to validate and decode the tone signal to provide a binary coded decimal output for receiving the tone signal to thereby provide a coded decimal output. This output is connected to a decoder/driver which transforms the decimal output to provide a driving signal. Finally, a relay receives the driving signal and transmits an activation signal to thereby activate the remote smoke generator device.

We claim: 
     
       1. A system for remote control operation from a command location of an unmanned smoke generation machine positioned at a location remote from said command location said system comprising: a transmission means at the command location for transmitting signals in the band of frequencies between RF and UHF to said remote location, said transmission means comprising a tone generator device for generating a particular acoustic DTMF tone binary coded decimal output signal, and a first microphone means for converting such DTMF tone signal into DTMF pulses which can be transmitted as first signals by said transmission means, said first microphone means also accepting human voice sounds which can be transmitted as second signals at a predetermined frequency by said transmission means; wherein said first and said second signals can be simultaneously transmitted;   receiving means at the remote location for receiving and detecting said first and second signals, said receiving means comprising a speaker means for producing audible sounds in response to said signals being received by said receiving means, a second microphone means acoustically coupled to said speaker means for converting said audible sounds into third signals, a decoder-driver means for receiving said third signals and generating a fourth signal when a particular DTMF tone signal is detected within said third signals, a latch-transistor means for generating a steady-on electrical signal in response to receipt of said fourth signal from said decoder-driver means, for closing a relay means selectively supplying or discontinuing connection of a high voltage power to said smoke generation machine in response to said steady-on signal from said latch-transistor means,   whereby said receiving means can receive both said human voice sounds and said DTMF pulses transmitted from said command location transmission means.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of respective smoke generation machines, each with a respective receiving means, at a plurality of respective remote locations. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1 wherein the said tone generator device comprises a key pad, portable pocket type tone generator. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3 wherein the said transmission means is comprised of a walkie-talkie unit. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 4 wherein the said receiving means is comprised of a walkie-talkie unit. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 2 wherein a plurality of respective different DTMF tone signals are utilized, each one for commanding a respective one of said smoke generation machines, said DTMF tone signals being transmitted from said transmission means and detected by a respective said receiving means which is assigned to a particular respective DTMF tone signal.