US3882399A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radio or television receiver tuning indicator
Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
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Filing: 1973-11-05
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An indicator system for a radio or television receiver for indicating a tuned or detuned condition in the receiver. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the indicator system utilizes three light emitting diodes (LED''s) integrally mounted with the dial pointer assembly, preferably with a green LED flanked in the direction of pointer movement by two red LED''s. When the receiver is properly tuned the green LED is energized. Conversely, when the receiver is detuned one of the flanking red LED''s is energized, and the direction of detuning is indicated by the particular red LED which is energized, so that correct tuning may be established by moving the pointer in a direction opposite to that indicated by the illuminated red LED until it becomes extinguished and the green LED alone remains illuminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Oleh Karpowycz
- 👤 Walter Klymkiw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:39
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03J; H03J3/00; H03J3/02; H03J3/12; H03J3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
333 words
A radio receiver comprising: means for selectively tuning RF broadcast signals; a readout display comprising first, second and third light emitting devices for visually indicating the tuning condition of said receiver in respect to a selected broadcast signal; a source of threshold potential; phase detector means coupled to said tuning means and comprising a tuned circuit responsive to the IF signal associated with said selected broadcast signal for developing control signals representative of the tuning condition of said receiver, said detector means further comprising a first output terminal and a second output terminal, means intercoupling said tuned circuit and said source of threshold potential, said first output terminal exhibiting a control signal of maximum amplitude upon receipt of said selected broadcast signal and a substantially smaller amplitude control signal when said tuning means is detuned from said selected broadcast signal, said second output terminal exhibiting a signal of predetermined polarity, relative to said threshold potential, when said tuning means is tuned below the frequency of said selected broadcast signal and exhibiting a signal of predetermined different polarity, relative to said threshold potential, when said tuning means is tuned above the frequency of said selected broadcast signal; a first switching system intercoupling said first output terminal and said first light emitting device and responsive only to said maximum amplitude control signal to illuminate said first device when said receiver is tuned to said selected broadcast signal; a first auxiliary switching system intercoupling said second output terminal and said second light emitting device and responsive only to a control signal of said predetermined polarity to illuminate said second light emitting device when said tuning mEans is tuned below the frequency of said selected broadcast signal; and a second auxiliary switching system intercoupling said second output terminal and said third light emitting device and responsive only to a control signal of said predetermined different polarity to illuminate said third light emitting device when said tuning means is tuned above the frequency of said selected broadcast signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
333 words
A radio receiver comprising: means for selectively tuning RF broadcast signals; a readout display comprising first, second and third light emitting devices for visually indicating the tuning condition of said receiver in respect to a selected broadcast signal; a source of threshold potential; phase detector means coupled to said tuning means and comprising a tuned circuit responsive to the IF signal associated with said selected broadcast signal for developing control signals representative of the tuning condition of said receiver, said detector means further comprising a first output terminal and a second output terminal, means intercoupling said tuned circuit and said source of threshold potential, said first output terminal exhibiting a control signal of maximum amplitude upon receipt of said selected broadcast signal and a substantially smaller amplitude control signal when said tuning means is detuned from said selected broadcast signal, said second output terminal exhibiting a signal of predetermined polarity, relative to said threshold potential, when said tuning means is tuned below the frequency of said selected broadcast signal and exhibiting a signal of predetermined different polarity, relative to said threshold potential, when said tuning means is tuned above the frequency of said selected broadcast signal; a first switching system intercoupling said first output terminal and said first light emitting device and responsive only to said maximum amplitude control signal to illuminate said first device when said receiver is tuned to said selected broadcast signal; a first auxiliary switching system intercoupling said second output terminal and said second light emitting device and responsive only to a control signal of said predetermined polarity to illuminate said second light emitting device when said tuning mEans is tuned below the frequency of said selected broadcast signal; and a second auxiliary switching system intercoupling said second output terminal and said third light emitting device and responsive only to a control signal of said predetermined different polarity to illuminate said third light emitting device when said tuning means is tuned above the frequency of said selected broadcast signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A radio receiver in accordance with claim 1 wherein said phase detector means includes a phase detector and a ratio detector coupled to said tuning means each having said first output terminal for supplying said maximum amplitude control signal when said receiver is properly tuned to an AM or FM broadcast signal, respectively, and each having said second output terminal for supplying said signal of predetermined polarity whenever said receiver is detuned from the respective AM or FM broadcast signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |