Two-way communication system with selective muting

摘要

A bidirectional communication channel provides communication across a sound proof wall used, for example in a ticket booth. Normally communication from outside into the booth is muted by inhibiting the gain of a listen channel to a preselected percentage of its maximum gain level. After an attendant talks into an internal microphone, the muting is temporarily inhibited and normal communication is allowed between an attendant and a customer. After the conversation is completed, the system reverts back to a muted operational mode.