Patent US4904992A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4904992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Radio with message reception and ambient noise level controlled indicator
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-28
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2009-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A radio (10) measures and stores (16, 18) the ambient sound (or noise) level of its environment. When a message is received, the current noise (or sound) level is compared to a threshold (56). If the ambient noise level is such that an audible tone may not be heard by the radio user, a silent alert is automatically activated (62) regardless of whether the silent enunciator has been previously selected (enabled) by the radio user. In another aspect of the present invention, if the ambient noise level is such that an audible tone may be inappropriate (i.e., library, courtroom, or certain hospital areas), the silent alert is also automatically activated regardless of whether the silent enunciator is enabled so as not to disturb others.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy A. Grothause
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:15
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/32; G; G08; G08B; G08B6/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A radio, comprising: means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; and delay means for delaying activation of a message received indicator in response to said control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A radio, comprising: means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; and delay means for delaying activation of a message received indicator in response to said control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The radio of claim 1, which includes means for transmitting an information signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The radio of claim 1, wherein said delay means comprises means for delaying activation of an audible tone message received indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The radio of claim 1, wherein said delay means comprises means for delaying activation of said message received indicator when an audible tone message received indicator is enabled, and for not delaying said message received indicator when a silent alert message received indicator is enabled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 1, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient sound energy residing in an audible frequency band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 1, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A radio, comprising: means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; and means for activating a silent alert indicator when said control signal is present, and for activating an audible indicator or said silent indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent indictor is enabled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A radio, comprising: means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; and means for activating a silent alert indicator when said control signal is present, and for activating an audible indicator or said silent indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent indictor is enabled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 7, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient sound energy residing in an audible frequency band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 7, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The radio of claim 7, which includes means for transmitting an information signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A radio, comprising: means for providing a audible alert; means for providing a silent alert; means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; and means for activating said silent alert when said control signal is present, and for activating said audible alert or said silent alert when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent alert is enabled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
A radio, comprising: means for providing a audible alert; means for providing a silent alert; means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; and means for activating said silent alert when said control signal is present, and for activating said audible alert or said silent alert when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent alert is enabled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 11, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient sound energy residing in an audible frequency band.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 11, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The radio of claim 11, which includes means for transmitting an information signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a radio, a method for indicating reception of a message, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a message signal to provide a received signal; (b) determining ambient sound level; (c) comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold, and asserting a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; (d) activating a silent message received indicator when said control signal is asserted and activating either an audible message received indicator or said silent message received indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said silent or audible message received indicators is enabled.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a radio, a method for indicating reception of a message, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a message signal to provide a received signal; (b) determining ambient sound level; (c) comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold, and asserting a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; (d) activating a silent message received indicator when said control signal is asserted and activating either an audible message received indicator or said silent message received indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said silent or audible message received indicators is enabled.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15, wherein step (b) comprises: determining sound energy residing in an audible spectral band.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15, wherein step (b) comprises: determining noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a radio, a method for indicating reception of a message, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a message signal to provide a received signal; (b) determining ambient sound level; (c) comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold, and asserting a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; (d) delaying activation of a message received indicator when said control signal is present and activating said message received indicator when said control signal is absent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a radio, a method for indicating reception of a message, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a message signal to provide a received signal; (b) determining ambient sound level; (c) comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold, and asserting a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold; (d) delaying activation of a message received indicator when said control signal is present and activating said message received indicator when said control signal is absent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18, which includes the step of: (a1) comparing an address code to at least a portion of said received message.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18, wherein step (b) comprises: determining sound energy residing in an audible spectral band.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18, wherein step (b) comprises: determining noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
85 words
A radio, comprising: means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is equal to or below said threshold; and means for activating a silent alert indicator when said control signal is present, and for activating an audible indicator or said silent indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent indicator is enabled.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
85 words
A radio, comprising: means for determining ambient sound level; means for receiving an information signal; means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is equal to or below said threshold; and means for activating a silent alert indicator when said control signal is present, and for activating an audible indicator or said silent indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent indicator is enabled.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 22, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient sound energy residing in an audible frequency band.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radio of claim 22, wherein said means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The radio of claim 22, which includes means for transmitting an information signal.
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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) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |