US3922607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radio broadcasting system
Assignee: RL Drake LLC
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Filing: 1974-08-14
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for radio broadcasting including a transmitter which transmits substantially continuous program material, such as background music, on one subcarrier and a plurality of sequential messages, each accompanied by coded signals identifying its beginning and end, on a second subcarrier, and a receiver for receiving the continuous program material and the messages. A loudspeaker is connected to the receiver to reproduce the continuous program material until selected coded signals are received. An audio fader circuit is used to switch the loudspeaker between the continuous program material and the messages in response to the coded signals and does so by slowly increasing the magnitude of one while slowly decreasing the magnitude of the other. The coded signals may include a plurality of standby codes each directed to separate families of receivers and a release code common to all receivers whereby more than one family or receivers may reproduce a selected message simultaneously on their respective loudspeaker systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E Wysong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:01
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/091; G08G1/092; G08G1/094; H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/10; H04H20/106; H04H20/28; H04H20/33; H04H20/34; H04H60/00; H04H60/09; H04H60/13; H04H60/02; H04H60/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A broadcast system comprising a transmitter including means for generating a first radio frequency signal, means for modulating said first radio frequency signal with substantially continuous program material, means for generating a second radio frequency signal, means for modulating said second radio frequency signal with sequential messages and tone coded address signals identifying the beginning of each of said sequential message; said tone coded address signals including a plurality of standby codes, each directed to a separate family of receivers, and a release code common to all receivers of a predetermined group of families, said plurality of standby codes being transmitted sequentially and followed by a single release code; means for momentarily lowering the magnitude of said second radio frequency signal at the conclusion of each said sequential message; a plurality of receivers each including first means for receiving said first radio frequency signal and for producing a first audio output of said continuous program material, second means for receiving said second radio frequency signal and for producing audio output including both said sequential messages and said coded address signals, a loudspeaker system, decoding means responsive to selected tone coded address signals and to the magnitude of said second audio frequency signal, said decoding means in said receiver including at least one means responsive to selected said standby codes and means responsive to said release code whereby upon receipt of both said selected standby code and said release code an output is produced, and switching means responsive to said output of said decoding means and connected to the audio outputs of said first and second receiving means and having an output connected to said loudspeaker system, said switching means includes means for slowly lowering the magnitude of said first audio output to said loudspeaker system while slowly increasing the magnitude of the second audio output to said loudspeaker system upon receipt of selected tone coded address signals occurring at the beginning of a message, said means slowly increasing the level of the first audio output and at the same time decreasing the level of the second audio output upon detecting the lowering of the magnitude of said second radio frequency signal at the end of each message.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
A broadcast system comprising a transmitter including means for generating a first radio frequency signal, means for modulating said first radio frequency signal with substantially continuous program material, means for generating a second radio frequency signal, means for modulating said second radio frequency signal with sequential messages and tone coded address signals identifying the beginning of each of said sequential message; said tone coded address signals including a plurality of standby codes, each directed to a separate family of receivers, and a release code common to all receivers of a predetermined group of families, said plurality of standby codes being transmitted sequentially and followed by a single release code; means for momentarily lowering the magnitude of said second radio frequency signal at the conclusion of each said sequential message; a plurality of receivers each including first means for receiving said first radio frequency signal and for producing a first audio output of said continuous program material, second means for receiving said second radio frequency signal and for producing audio output including both said sequential messages and said coded address signals, a loudspeaker system, decoding means responsive to selected tone coded address signals and to the magnitude of said second audio frequency signal, said decoding means in said receiver including at least one means responsive to selected said standby codes and means responsive to said release code whereby upon receipt of both said selected standby code and said release code an output is produced, and switching means responsive to said output of said decoding means and connected to the audio outputs of said first and second receiving means and having an output connected to said loudspeaker system, said switching means includes means for slowly lowering the magnitude of said first audio output to said loudspeaker system while slowly increasing the magnitude of the second audio output to said loudspeaker system upon receipt of selected tone coded address signals occurring at the beginning of a message, said means slowly increasing the level of the first audio output and at the same time decreasing the level of the second audio output upon detecting the lowering of the magnitude of said second radio frequency signal at the end of each message.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
255 words
A broadcast system comprising a transmitter including, means for generating a first radio frequency signal, means for modulating said first radio frequency signal with substantially continuous program material, means for generating a second radio frequency signal, means for modulating said second radio frequency signal with sequential messages and tone coded address signals identifying the beginning of each said sequential message, said tone coded address signals include a plurality of standby codes each directed to a separate family of receivers and a release code common to all receivers of a predetermined group of families, said plurality of standby codes being transmitted sequentially and followed by a single release code; a plurality of receivers including first means for receiving said first radio frequency signal and for providing a first audio output of said continuous program material, second means for receiving said second radio frequency signal and for providing a second audio output including said sequential messages and said tone coded address signals, a loudspeaker system, switching means connected to said audio outputs of said first and second receiving means and having an output connected to said loudspeaker system, and decoding means connected to said second receiving means and responsive to selected tone coded addresS signals for controlling the operation of said switching means, said decoding means in said receiver includes at least one means responsive to selected said standby codes and means responsive to said release code whereby upon receipt of both said selected standby code and said release code, said decoding means operates said switching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
255 words
A broadcast system comprising a transmitter including, means for generating a first radio frequency signal, means for modulating said first radio frequency signal with substantially continuous program material, means for generating a second radio frequency signal, means for modulating said second radio frequency signal with sequential messages and tone coded address signals identifying the beginning of each said sequential message, said tone coded address signals include a plurality of standby codes each directed to a separate family of receivers and a release code common to all receivers of a predetermined group of families, said plurality of standby codes being transmitted sequentially and followed by a single release code; a plurality of receivers including first means for receiving said first radio frequency signal and for providing a first audio output of said continuous program material, second means for receiving said second radio frequency signal and for providing a second audio output including said sequential messages and said tone coded address signals, a loudspeaker system, switching means connected to said audio outputs of said first and second receiving means and having an output connected to said loudspeaker system, and decoding means connected to said second receiving means and responsive to selected tone coded addresS signals for controlling the operation of said switching means, said decoding means in said receiver includes at least one means responsive to selected said standby codes and means responsive to said release code whereby upon receipt of both said selected standby code and said release code, said decoding means operates said switching means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said transmitter is a frequency modulation transmitter and wherein said first and second radio frequency signals are subcarriers of said transmitter''s main carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said switching means includes means for slowly lowering the magnitude of said first audio output while slowly increasing the magnitude of the second audio output upon receipt of said tone coded address signal representing the beginning of a message, said means slowly increasing the level of the first audio output and at the same time decreasing the level of the second audio output upon receipt of a signal representing the end of said message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 4 including means for lowering momentarily the magnitude of the second radio frequency signal at the conclusion of each said sequential message, and further including means responsive to the output of said second receiving means for generating a signal representing the end of said message.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |