US3566038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiplexed entertainment-service system
Assignee: Griffon Corp
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Filing: 1969-02-20
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1989-02-20
Abstract
Abstract An entertainment-service system wherein a plurality of local stations are permitted to selectively receive one or more of a plurality of channels of audio signals and to control one or more utilization circuits associated with each local station or a group of such stations through the use of multiplexing techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin J Slavin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:39
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08C; G08C15/00; G08C15/06; G08C15/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
An entertainment-service system for a plurality of discrete stations comprising, a multichanneled source of audio input; multiplexing means connected to said source of audio input and adapted to sequentially sample each of said channels and transmit the content of said channels as a single signal; a plurality of remotely located demultiplexer means for receiving said single multiplexed signal; at least one control means disposed at each of said stations and associated with one of said demultiplexer means including channel selector means and utilization control means; at least one transducer means for converting an audio electrical signal to sound disposed at each station, said demultiplexer means each being adapted to reconstruct from the multiplexed signal the contents of the input channels selected by a channel selector means associated therewith and transmit same to the corresponding transducer means; aT least one data line; a plurality of remotely located utilization circuits, at least one of said utilization control means being associated with each of said utilization circuits; a plurality of coder means for detecting the state of the utilization control means associated therewith and for transmitting, when activated, data representative of said state to said data line; decoder means associated with each coder means for controlling the state of the corresponding utilization circuits and for receiving, when activated, the data representative of the state of the corresponding utilization control means from said data line; column timer means for producing clock and frame synchronization pulses, said column timer means and coder means being in series connection and said column timer means and decoder means being in series connection in the same sequence as the corresponding coder means for sequential activation of each of said coder means and its corresponding decoder means in response to said pulses during the same time frame, whereby each of said utilization circuits is placed in a state responsive to the state of its corresponding utilization control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
An entertainment-service system for a plurality of discrete stations comprising, a multichanneled source of audio input; multiplexing means connected to said source of audio input and adapted to sequentially sample each of said channels and transmit the content of said channels as a single signal; a plurality of remotely located demultiplexer means for receiving said single multiplexed signal; at least one control means disposed at each of said stations and associated with one of said demultiplexer means including channel selector means and utilization control means; at least one transducer means for converting an audio electrical signal to sound disposed at each station, said demultiplexer means each being adapted to reconstruct from the multiplexed signal the contents of the input channels selected by a channel selector means associated therewith and transmit same to the corresponding transducer means; aT least one data line; a plurality of remotely located utilization circuits, at least one of said utilization control means being associated with each of said utilization circuits; a plurality of coder means for detecting the state of the utilization control means associated therewith and for transmitting, when activated, data representative of said state to said data line; decoder means associated with each coder means for controlling the state of the corresponding utilization circuits and for receiving, when activated, the data representative of the state of the corresponding utilization control means from said data line; column timer means for producing clock and frame synchronization pulses, said column timer means and coder means being in series connection and said column timer means and decoder means being in series connection in the same sequence as the corresponding coder means for sequential activation of each of said coder means and its corresponding decoder means in response to said pulses during the same time frame, whereby each of said utilization circuits is placed in a state responsive to the state of its corresponding utilization control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
180 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, including a plurality of further multichanneled sources of audio input; and a further multiplexer means connected to each of said further sources of audio input for receiving said single multiplexed signal from said first-mentioned multiplexer means, sequentially sampling each of the channels of said further source of audio input, and transmitting the content of said further channels as a single multiplexed signal interleaved into the signal of said first-mentioned multiplexer means, a portion of said demultiplexer means being adapted to receive said modified signal from each of said further multiplexer means. 3. An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 2, wherein said first-mentioned multiplexer means is adapted to allot, within each cycle of operation, one time frame for each channel of said first-mentioned source of audio input and one time frame for the greatest number of channels present in any one of said further sources of audio input, said first-mentioned multiplexer means transmitting timing pulses, the timing of said further multiplexer means and said demultiplexer means being derived from said timing pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said multiplexer means includes stereo selector means for selectively interleaving stereo date in said multiplexer means single multiplexed signal if two selected channels constitute a single stereo program; said demultiplexer means being adapted to detect such stereo data and simultaneously transmit said two selected channels to said transducer means in response to a single channel selection of said channel selector means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 4, wherein said stereo selector means produces a stereo tag bit interleaved in a predetermined time slot in the frame allocated to the first of two adjacent channels which together form a stereo program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said multiplexing means converts each sample of the content of each channel of said source of audio input into a digital pulse code and transmits said digital pulse code in said single multiplexed signal, said demultiplexer means being adapted to convert said pulse code to an analogue signal representative of the content of the channel selected by its corresponding channel selector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said channel selector means includes a plurality of resistors and a multiposition switch means, each of said resistors being of a different value and having one end connected to a common terminal and the other end connected to one of said switch means positions, said demultiplexer means being adapted to detect the voltage characteristic of each switch means position tO identify and transmit the contents of the selected channel to said transducer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 7, said dimultiplexer means including variable reference voltage means and comparator means for comparing the output of said variable reference voltage means and said detected voltage to identify said selected channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, including means for selectively activating one of said audio input channels, said multiplexer means including channel override means for selectively interleaving override data in said multiplexer means single multiplexed signal if said selected channel activation means is actuated, said demultiplexer means being adapted to detect said override data and transmit the contents of said selected channel to said transducer means without regard to the setting of said channel selector means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said column timer means is connected to said data line for applying said clock and frame synchronization pulses thereto, the timing and reset of said coder means and decoder means being responsive to said pulses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said coder means are interchangeable with each other and each of said decoder means are substantially interchangeable with each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said utilization circuits include at least one service call light associated with each station or group of stations, each of said service call lights being operated in response to the utilization control means disposed at said station or stations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 12, including a supervisory utilization circuit for indicating the activation of any of said service call lights, said column timer means being adapted to receive from the said data line the data representative of the state of the portion of all of said utilization control means governing the operation of their corresponding service call lights and for controlling the state of said supervisory utilization circuit in response to said data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An entertainment-service system as recited in claim 13, wherein said supervisory utilization circuit includes both a visual and an audible alarm means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
210 words
An entertainment system for a plurality of discrete stations comprising, a first multichanneled source of audio input; first multiplexing means connected to said first source of audio input and adapted to sequentially sample each of said channels and transmit the content of said channel as a single signal; a plurality of second multichanneled sources of audio inputs; a second multiplexer means connected to each of said further sources of audio input for receiving said single multiplexed signal from said first multiplexer means, sequentially sampling each of the channels of the second source of audio input associated therewith, and transmitting the content of said second channels as a single multiplexed signal interleaved into the signal of said first multiplexer means; a plurality of remotely located demultiplexer means for receiving said modified multiplexed signal from each of said second multiplexer means; at least one channel selector means disposed at each of said stations and associated with one of said demultiplexer means; at least one transducer means for converting an audio electrical signal to sound disposed at each station, said demultiplexer means each being adapted to reconstruct from the multiplexed signal the contents of the input channels selected by the channel selector means associated therewith and transmit same to the corresponding transducer means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
210 words
An entertainment system for a plurality of discrete stations comprising, a first multichanneled source of audio input; first multiplexing means connected to said first source of audio input and adapted to sequentially sample each of said channels and transmit the content of said channel as a single signal; a plurality of second multichanneled sources of audio inputs; a second multiplexer means connected to each of said further sources of audio input for receiving said single multiplexed signal from said first multiplexer means, sequentially sampling each of the channels of the second source of audio input associated therewith, and transmitting the content of said second channels as a single multiplexed signal interleaved into the signal of said first multiplexer means; a plurality of remotely located demultiplexer means for receiving said modified multiplexed signal from each of said second multiplexer means; at least one channel selector means disposed at each of said stations and associated with one of said demultiplexer means; at least one transducer means for converting an audio electrical signal to sound disposed at each station, said demultiplexer means each being adapted to reconstruct from the multiplexed signal the contents of the input channels selected by the channel selector means associated therewith and transmit same to the corresponding transducer means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
An entertainment system as recited in claim 15, wherein said first multiplexer means is adapted to allot, within each cycle of operation, one time frame for each channel of said first source of audio input and one time frame for the greatest numbeR of channels present in any one of said second sources of audio input, said first multiplexer means transmitting timing pulses, the timing of said second multiplexer means and said demultiplexer means being derived from said timing pulses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
An entertainment system as recited in claim 15, wherein said multiplexer means includes stereo selector means for selectively interleaving stereo data in said multiplexer means single multiplexed signal if two selected channels constitute a single stereo program; and said demultiplexer means being adapted to detect such stereo data and simultaneously transmit said two selected channels to said transducer means in response to a single channel selection of said channel selector means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
An entertainment system as recited in claim 17, wherein said stereo selector means produces a stereo tag bit interleaved in a predetermined time slot in the frame allocated to the first of two adjacent channels which together form a stereo program.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
An entertainment system as recited in claim 15, wherein said multiplexing means converts each sample of the content of each channel of said source of audio input into a digital pulse code and transmits said digital pulse code in said single multiplexed signal, said demultiplexer means being adapted to convert said pulse code to an analogue signal representative of the content of the channel selected by its corresponding channel selector means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
An entertainment system as recited in claim 15, wherein said channel selector means includes a plurality of resistors and a multiposition switch means, each of said resistors being of a different value and having one end connected to a common terminal and the other end connected to one of said switch means positions, said demultiplexer means being adapted to detect the voltage characteristic of each switch means position to identify and transmit the contents of the selected channel to said transducer means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
An entertainment system as recited in claim 20, said demultiplexer means including variable reference voltage means and comparator means for comparing the output of said variable reference voltage means and said detected voltage to identify said selected channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
An entertainment system as recited in claim 15, including means for selectively activating one of said audio input channels, said multiplexer means including channel override means for selectively interleaving override data in said multiplexer means single multiplexed signal if said selected channel activation means is actuated, said demultiplexer means being adapted to detect said override data and transmit the contents of said selected channel to said transducer means without regard to the setting of said channel selector means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
203 words
A service system for a plurality of discrete stations comprising at least one utilization control means disposed at each of said stations; at least one data line; a plurality of remotely located utilization circuits, at least one of said utilization control means being associated with each of said utilization circuits; a plurality of coder means for detecting the state of the utilization control means associated therewith and for transmitting, when activated, data representative of said state to said data line; decoder means associated with each coder means for controlling the state of the corresponding utilization circuits for receiving, when activated, the data representative of the state of the corresponding utilization control means from said data line; column timer means for producing clock and frame synchronization pulses, said column timer means and coder means being in series connection and said column timer means and decoder means being in series connection in the same sequence as the corresponding coder means for sequential activation of each of said coder means and its corresponding decoder means in response to said pulses during the same time frame, whereby each of said utilization circuits is placed in a state responsive to the state of its corresponding utilization control means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
203 words
A service system for a plurality of discrete stations comprising at least one utilization control means disposed at each of said stations; at least one data line; a plurality of remotely located utilization circuits, at least one of said utilization control means being associated with each of said utilization circuits; a plurality of coder means for detecting the state of the utilization control means associated therewith and for transmitting, when activated, data representative of said state to said data line; decoder means associated with each coder means for controlling the state of the corresponding utilization circuits for receiving, when activated, the data representative of the state of the corresponding utilization control means from said data line; column timer means for producing clock and frame synchronization pulses, said column timer means and coder means being in series connection and said column timer means and decoder means being in series connection in the same sequence as the corresponding coder means for sequential activation of each of said coder means and its corresponding decoder means in response to said pulses during the same time frame, whereby each of said utilization circuits is placed in a state responsive to the state of its corresponding utilization control means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A service system as recited in claim 23, wherein said coder means are substantially identical and said decoder means are substantially identical.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
A service system as recited in claim 23, wherein said utilization circuits include at least one service call light associated with each station or group of stations, each of said service call lights being operated in response to the utilization control means disposed at said station or stations.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
76 words
A service system as recited in claim 25, including a supervisory utilization circuit for indicating the activation of any of said service call lights, said column timer means being adapted to receive from said data line the data representative of the state of the portion of all of said utilization control means governing the operation of their corresponding service call lights and for controlling the state of said supervisory utilization circuit in response to said data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A service system as recited in claim 26, wherein said supervisory utilization circuit includes both a visual and an audible alarm means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
A service system as recited in claim 23, wherein said column timer means is connected to said data line for applying said clock and frame synchronization pulses thereto, the timing and reset of said coder and decoder means being responsive to said pulses.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A service system as recited in claim 23, wherein each of said utilization circuits includes at least one lamp for illumination of said station.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
78 words
A service system as recited in claim 23, wherein each of said series connected coder means and decoder means receives the signal for activation thereof from the prior component in said series connection, each of said coder means and decoder means transmitting a signal for activation of the next component of said series connections upon completion of their respective cycles, all of said coder and decoder means being reset after the last thereof have completed their respective cycles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1968546A
Cited
US1944308A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |