Eu não posso identificar definitivamente a verdadeira origem dos sinos; mas a primeira referência a eles que posso encontrar está em:
ARINC Characteristic 715-3 Airborne Passenger Address Amplifier (PA AMP)
This standard describes the characteristics of a PA AMP designed for installation in commercial aircraft. Its function is to amplify control voice, music and internally generated chime audio signals to drive the aircraft cabin loudspeaker system.
O ARINC 715 original foi publicado em 1978.
O padrão que eles definiram está na seção 3.4 do documento:
3.4 Chimes
The PA Amplifier equipment should include a chime generator capable of providing two tones in the four remote controlled sequences that may be deployed through either the auxiliary or main amplifier utilizing aircraft strapping. Internal controls shall be provided to adjust the individual tone levels for balancing the related outputs.
3.4.1 Tone Frequencies
The high tone should be 587 Hz (musical Note D) and the low tone should be 494 Hz (Musical Note B) signals of a pleasant sounding musical nature.
3.4.2 Tone Harmonics
The chime tone harmonics should be minimized with the second harmonic level at least 30 dB below that of the fundamental and each succeeding harmonic should be a further 3 dB below the preceding harmonic.
3.4.3 Tone Decay
The single high and low tone levels should decay to a level 30 ±6 dB below the peak level within 900 milliseconds from the peak. The second tone of the high/low combination should begin 900 ± 100 milliseconds after the peak of the first tone.
3.4.4 Sequence Control
Five tone sequence control lines should be provided to actuate individual or two tone sequences as follows:
a. Passenger Call (High Tone)
b. Attendant Call (High/Low Tone)
c. Attendant Emergency Call (High/Low Tone Repeated Three Times)
d. Seat Belt Sign (Low Tone)
e. Smoking Sign (Low Tone)