Patent US4390834A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4390834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Digital volume control
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-19
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Granted: 1983-06-28
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Expires: 2002-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A digital control type volume control circuit is disclosed herein which includes a multivibrator, an UP key, a DOWN key, a pair of binary UP/DOWN counters, a 4-to-16 line decoder, an encoder and an attenuator. The multivibrator is connected to the UP and DOWN keys to furnish pulses to the counter via an actuated one of the UP and DOWN keys. The counter counts the number of the pulses via the UP and DOWN key, with the counter being indicative of the length of actuation of the UP or DOWN key. The encoder responsive to the count of the counter output count provides an output for the attenuator having a plurality of resistors of different resistances for determination as to the amount of attenuation.
Inventors
- 👤 Akihiro Ohshita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:20
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/001; H03G3/02; H03G3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A volume control circuit comprising: encoder means for generating attenuation constraining enabling signals for said semiconductor switch means; actuator means for initiating volume control operation by generating a number of pulses; counter means for counting the number of pulses supplied via said actuator means and providing an electrical representation of the number of said pulses to said encoder means to define a corresponding attenuation level and attenuator circuit means connected to said semiconductor switch means for providing the level of attenuation constrained by said encoder means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A volume control circuit comprising: encoder means for generating attenuation constraining enabling signals for said semiconductor switch means; actuator means for initiating volume control operation by generating a number of pulses; counter means for counting the number of pulses supplied via said actuator means and providing an electrical representation of the number of said pulses to said encoder means to define a corresponding attenuation level and attenuator circuit means connected to said semiconductor switch means for providing the level of attenuation constrained by said encoder means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
Volume control circuit means comprising: oscillator means for generating pulses; encoder means responsive to the number of pulses generated for generating enabling signals representing volume attenuation levels corresponding said numbers of said pulses; actuator means operatively connected to said oscillator means for initiating a volume control operation; counter means for counting the number of said pulses supplied by said oscillator means and providing an electrical representation of the number of said pulses for said encoder means; semiconductor switch means responsive to said enabling signals for selectively controlling the volume control attenuation level provided by said volume control circuit means; and resistor circuit means connected to and responsive to said semiconductor switch means for providing said level of volume control attenuation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
Volume control circuit means comprising: oscillator means for generating pulses; encoder means responsive to the number of pulses generated for generating enabling signals representing volume attenuation levels corresponding said numbers of said pulses; actuator means operatively connected to said oscillator means for initiating a volume control operation; counter means for counting the number of said pulses supplied by said oscillator means and providing an electrical representation of the number of said pulses for said encoder means; semiconductor switch means responsive to said enabling signals for selectively controlling the volume control attenuation level provided by said volume control circuit means; and resistor circuit means connected to and responsive to said semiconductor switch means for providing said level of volume control attenuation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Volume control circuit means according to claim 1 wherein each of said semiconductor switch means comprising a base current controlled transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Volume control circuit means according to claim 1 wherein said attenuator circuit means comprises a plurality of resistors each having a different resistance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Volume control circuit means according to claim 1 wherein said actuator means includes an UP key and a DOWN key and said counter means is an UP/DOWN counter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Volume control circuit means according to claim 5 wherein said number of said pulses corresponds to the period of time for which said UP or DOWN key is being actuated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Volume control circuit means according to claim 1 wherein said counter means comprises an integrated circuit and said encoder means comprises a diode array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A volume control circuit according to claim 1 further comprising decoder means interposed between said counter means and said encoder means correlating the count of said counter means with said encoder means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
Volume control circuit means comprising: volume controlling switch means; encoder means for generating enabling signals for said switch means; actuator means for initiating a volume control operation by supplying a plurality of pulses; counter means for counting the number of pulses supplied via said actuator means and providing an electrical representation of the number of said pulses for said encoder means; and resistor circuit means selectively connected to said switch means in response to said enabling signals for determining the amount of attenuation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
Volume control circuit means comprising: volume controlling switch means; encoder means for generating enabling signals for said switch means; actuator means for initiating a volume control operation by supplying a plurality of pulses; counter means for counting the number of pulses supplied via said actuator means and providing an electrical representation of the number of said pulses for said encoder means; and resistor circuit means selectively connected to said switch means in response to said enabling signals for determining the amount of attenuation.
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) | 1986-06-27 | 1986-12-27 | 1987-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-27 | 1990-12-27 | 1991-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-27 | 1994-12-27 | 1995-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |