Patent US1265345A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4359601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio control system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-01-04
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Granted: 1982-11-16
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Expires: 2000-01-04
Abstract
Abstract An audio control system comprised of an equalizer which divides and controls the level of a plurality of audio frequency bands and an electronic display which provides an illuminated indication of equalizer settings and output levels in each of the audio frequency bands. The audio control system can receive stereophonic input from one of several sources and provide an output to front and rear pairs of amplifiers. The electronic display is comprised of a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in columns which provide either a static display of equalizer settings or a calibrated display indicating the output levels in each audio frequency band of the equalizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D. D. England
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:04
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G5/00; H03G5/02; H03G5/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An audio control system comprising: means for connecting a stereophonic input signal; audio processing means for processing said stereophonic signal; dividing means for dividing the stereophonic signal from said processing means into a plurality of audio frequency bands; level adjusting means for adjusting the level of each of said plurality of audio frequency bands; and electronic display means coupled to said level adjusting means for electronically displaying the relative adjusted level in each of said plurality of bands; said electronic display means including means for dynamically displaying the output of each of said plurality of audio frequency bands comprising: a pre-amplifier receiving the output of said audio processor; a band pass filter receiving the output of said pre-amplifier; an active rectifier for rectifying the output of the band pass filter; light column means; means connecting the output of said active rectifier to said light column means whereby the light column means varies according to the level of each audio frequency band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An audio control system comprising: means for connecting a stereophonic input signal; audio processing means for processing said stereophonic signal; dividing means for dividing the stereophonic signal from said processing means into a plurality of audio frequency bands; level adjusting means for adjusting the level of each of said plurality of audio frequency bands; and electronic display means coupled to said level adjusting means for electronically displaying the relative adjusted level in each of said plurality of bands; said electronic display means including means for dynamically displaying the output of each of said plurality of audio frequency bands comprising: a pre-amplifier receiving the output of said audio processor; a band pass filter receiving the output of said pre-amplifier; an active rectifier for rectifying the output of the band pass filter; light column means; means connecting the output of said active rectifier to said light column means whereby the light column means varies according to the level of each audio frequency band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 wherein said means for connecting a stereophonic input signal comprises: means for selecting one of several inputs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 wherein said dividing means comprises means for dividing an audio frequency spectrum into five bands, each of said bands covering approximately two octaves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 wherein said electronic display comprises: a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in columns, the number of columns equalling the number of audio frequency bands from said dividing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The audio control system according to claim 4 wherein said display means includes: means for selectively combining both channels of said stereophonic signal so that a predominant signal is displayed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The audio control system according to claim 5 wherein said means for selectively combining said stereophonic signal comprises: an active rectifier or gate for rectifying each of said plurality of audio frequency bands; logic means coupling the active rectifier of one channel with the active rectifier of the other channel for the respective audio frequency bands whereby the signals are ORed together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the output of said active rectifier to the light column means comprises: analog switching means; and drive means for driving said light column means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 wherein said dynamic display means includes: sensitivity control means adapted to adjust the output of said pre-amplifier means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The audio control system according to claim 8 wherein said sensitivity control means includes an on-off switch whereby the electronic display may be selectively switched on or off.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 including means for selectively displaying the adjusted level of each of said audio frequency bands on said electronic display means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The audio control system according to claim 10 wherein said means for displaying the adjusted level comprises: switching means for switching the display to a dot mode; reference voltage means; adjustable means for adjustably applying said reference voltage to said display; means for linking said adjustable means to said level adjusting means whereby said display is indicative of the position of said level adjusting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The audio control system according to claim 11 wherein said adjustable means and level adjusting means are potentiometers mechanically ganged together for simultaneous adjustment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The audio control system according to claim 11 including means for illuminating a zero base line on said display means when said display means is in said dot mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The audio control system according to claim 13 wherein said display means comprises: a plurality of columns of light means; each of said columns including an odd number of lights; said means for illuminating a zero base line includes means for dimly illuminating the center light of each column.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The audio control system according to claim 14 including minimizing heat dissipation in said display means by connecting said display to a floating ground whereby the power dissipation across each light means and its drive means is a minimum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 including a power supply means comprising an inverter power supply means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The audio control system according to claim 16 wherein said inverter power supply means is adapted to allow a bias at ground potential to amplifying circuits in said audio processing means and dividing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The audio control system according to claim 17 wherein said inverter power supply comprises: an oscillator; means for controlling the rise time of said oscillator whereby radiation of switching transients is prevented.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The audio control system according to claim 18 wherein: said oscillator is a square wave generator; and said means for controlling the rise time includes means for converting the square wave substantially to a triangular wave.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The audio control system according to claim 19 wherein said means for converting the square wave substantially to a triangular wave includes means for utilizing the slew rate parameter of an integrated circuit operational amplifier for achieving such conversion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 wherein said audio processing means includes means for instantly attenuating said stereophonic signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The audio control system according to claim 21 wherein said means for instantly attenuating the stereophonic signal comprises: an attenuating circuit; and switch means for switching said attenuating circuit in or out of the path of said signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The audio control system according to claim 1 including means for attenuating low-frequency transients in said audio processing means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The audio control system according to claim 23 wherein said low frequency attenuating means comprises a sub-sonic filter means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The audio control system according to claim 24 including means for switching said sub-sonic filter in or out of the path of said stereophonic 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) | 1985-11-15 | 1986-05-17 | 1986-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-15 | 1990-05-17 | 1990-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-15 | 1994-05-17 | 1994-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |