acoustic coupler

American  

noun

Computers.

1. a modem designed to connect a telephone handset to a computer terminal or processor.

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acoustic coupler British  

noun

1. computing a device converting computer-data signals into acoustic form for transmission down a telephone line, through the handset microphone See also modem

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Etymology

Origin of acoustic coupler

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Some of the technology in WarGames is almost comically outdated, like the hero’s 1200 baud dial-up modem that connects to his cradle phone via an acoustic coupler, but it offers a jumping-off point for so many rich conversations about issues that are still relevant: A.I., autonomous weaponry, computer crime law, cybersecurity, and cyberwar.

From Slate

Forty-six years ago, the director of the computer science lab at the University of Washington kicked high school students Bill Gates and Paul Allen out for hogging the teletype machines and swiping an acoustic coupler.

From Seattle Times

It ran on four AA batteries, and it was routinely given to journalists in the field because it had a built-in modem that could send files back to the office through an acoustic coupler for a landline phone handset.

From The Verge

Jack Warner of Cheverly, Md., was selling an array of things, from a pair of Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 laptops — $200, including acoustic coupler and cassette tape drive to load programs — to an old transistor radio priced at five bucks.

From Washington Post

Instead of working from home, he drove around the San Francisco bay area with a laptop, acoustic coupler and a mobile phone.

From The Guardian