US4668937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speaker activation control by microcomputer
Assignee: Sharp Corp
•
Filing: 1983-01-24
•
Granted: 1987-05-26
•
Expires: 2003-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A microwave oven includes a piezo-electric speaker for audible announcement purposes and a microcomputer for controlling operations of the microwave oven. The mocrocomputer always develops a frequency signal for activating the piezo-electric speaker. A gate signal is developed from the microcomputer so that the gate signal and the frequency signal are commonly applied to the base electrode of a switching transistor. When the gate signal bears the logic "L", the switching transistor repeats the ON/OFF operation in response to the frequency signal applied thereto. The piezo-electric speaker is connected to the switching transistor, whereby the piezo-electric speaker generates the sound whenever the gate signal bears the logic "L".
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Shota
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:13
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/0207; B06B1/0223; B06B1/023; G; G08; G08B; G08B3/00; G08B3/10; H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/66; H05B6/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An piezo-electric speaker drive system comprising: an piezo-electric speaker; a microcomputer including; a first output terminal for developing a frequency signal for activating said piezo-electric speaker, and a second output terminal for developing a gate signal for controlling the application of said frequency signal to said piezo-electric speaker, and a PNP transistor disposed between said microcomputer and said piezo-electric speaker; the base electrode of said PNP transistor being commonly connected to said first and second output terminals of said microcomputer; and the collector electrode of said PNP transistor being connected to said piezo-electric speaker.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An piezo-electric speaker drive system comprising: an piezo-electric speaker; a microcomputer including; a first output terminal for developing a frequency signal for activating said piezo-electric speaker, and a second output terminal for developing a gate signal for controlling the application of said frequency signal to said piezo-electric speaker, and a PNP transistor disposed between said microcomputer and said piezo-electric speaker; the base electrode of said PNP transistor being commonly connected to said first and second output terminals of said microcomputer; and the collector electrode of said PNP transistor being connected to said piezo-electric speaker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The speaker drive system of claim 1 wherein said microcomputer is a P-channel MOS LSI.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The speaker drive system of claim 1 wherein said gate signal goes logically low to apply said frequency signal to the electrode of said transistor.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for generating a desired audible tone from a piezo-electric transducer comprising: a digital computer continuously developing a frequency clock signal having the frequency of said desired audible tone; said computer including, processing means for executing a software program to perform a plurality of disparate functions, said processing means developing a gate signal as a said disparate function to activate said piezo-electric transducer; and means for driving said piezo-electric transducer with said frequency clock signal only when enabled by development of said gate signal by said processing means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for generating a desired audible tone from a piezo-electric transducer comprising: a digital computer continuously developing a frequency clock signal having the frequency of said desired audible tone; said computer including, processing means for executing a software program to perform a plurality of disparate functions, said processing means developing a gate signal as a said disparate function to activate said piezo-electric transducer; and means for driving said piezo-electric transducer with said frequency clock signal only when enabled by development of said gate signal by said processing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said digital computer is a P-channel MOS LSI microcomputer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said gate signal goes logically low to activate said piezo-electric transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said gate signal begins and ends when said frequency clock signal is logically high to inhibit generation of undesired noise.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
139 words
A system for generating a desired audible tone from a piezo-electric transducer comprising: a digital computer continuously developing a frequency clock signal having the frequency of said desired audible tone at a first output terminal; said computer including, processing means for executing a software program to perform a plurality of disparate functions, said processing means developing a gate signal as a said disparate function to activate said piezo-electric transducer at a second output terminal of said computer; switch means for selectively applying a voltage across said piezo-electric transducer means in response to application of a control signal to a control terminal thereof; and means for logically summing said frequency clock signal with said gate signal to develop said control signal, said control signal applying an alternating waveform from said frequency clock signal only when said gate signal is developed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
139 words
A system for generating a desired audible tone from a piezo-electric transducer comprising: a digital computer continuously developing a frequency clock signal having the frequency of said desired audible tone at a first output terminal; said computer including, processing means for executing a software program to perform a plurality of disparate functions, said processing means developing a gate signal as a said disparate function to activate said piezo-electric transducer at a second output terminal of said computer; switch means for selectively applying a voltage across said piezo-electric transducer means in response to application of a control signal to a control terminal thereof; and means for logically summing said frequency clock signal with said gate signal to develop said control signal, said control signal applying an alternating waveform from said frequency clock signal only when said gate signal is developed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said means for logically summing comprises the wired interconnection of said first and second output terminals of said computer to the control terminal of said switch means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said switch means is serially connected to said piezo-electric speaker across a voltage source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said switch means is a PNP transistor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the output of said computer at said second output terminal is normally logically high and goes logically low to produce said gate signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said gate signal begins and ends when said frequency clock signal is logically high to inhibit generation of undesired noise.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said system forms part of a microwave oven, said processing means performing disparate microwave oven control functions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said disparate functions include microwave oven cooking control.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said frequency clock signal is developed independent of operation of said software program.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said system forms part of a microwave oven, said processing means performing disparate microwave oven control functions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said disparate functions include microwave oven cooking control.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said frequency clock signal is developed independent of operation of said software program.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of controlling the development of an audible tone using a piezo-electric transducer including: continuously generating a frequency signal from a microcomputer; controlling the application of said frequency signal to said piezo-electric transducer with a timing control signal developed by said microcomputer under control of a software program; said continuously generated frequency signal being generated without control by a software program.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of controlling the development of an audible tone using a piezo-electric transducer including: continuously generating a frequency signal from a microcomputer; controlling the application of said frequency signal to said piezo-electric transducer with a timing control signal developed by said microcomputer under control of a software program; said continuously generated frequency signal being generated without control by a software program.
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) | 1990-05-25 | 1990-11-24 | 1991-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-11-24 | 1995-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-25 | 1998-11-24 | 1999-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |