US5121076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plural time constant signal control
Assignee: Technicolor USA Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-06
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Granted: 1992-06-09
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Expires: 2011-05-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention concerns apparatus having a voltage controlled amplifier wherein the gain of the amplifier is determined in response to the level of a control signal at an input terminal. A first rate of change is used for a change of gain from a low signal level to a higher signal level, and a second rate of change is used for a change from a high signal level to a lower signal level with the second rate being faster than the first rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffery B. Lendaro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/60; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/34; H03G3/344; H03G3/348
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for controlling signal level comprising: a voltage controlled amplifier wherein the gain of the amplifier is determined in response to the level of a control signal at an input terminal, control means for generating said control signal, first time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change form a low level of gain to a higher level at a first rate of change, and second time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from the higher level of gain to a lower level at a second rate of change, the second rate of change being faster than the first rate of change.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for controlling signal level comprising: a voltage controlled amplifier wherein the gain of the amplifier is determined in response to the level of a control signal at an input terminal, control means for generating said control signal, first time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change form a low level of gain to a higher level at a first rate of change, and second time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from the higher level of gain to a lower level at a second rate of change, the second rate of change being faster than the first rate of change.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first time constant means comprises a first resistor and a capacitor and the second time constant means comprises the capacitor and a diode shunting the first resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second time constant further comprises a resistor in series with the diode, said second resistor having a resistance value less than the first resistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for controlling audio volume comprising: a voltage controlled amplifier for amplifying an audio signal wherein the gain of the amplifier is determined in response to the level of a control signal at an input terminal, control means for generating said control signal, first time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from a low level of volume to a higher level at a first rate of change, and second time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from the higher level of volume to a lower level at a second rate of change, the second rate of change being faster than the first rate of change.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for controlling audio volume comprising: a voltage controlled amplifier for amplifying an audio signal wherein the gain of the amplifier is determined in response to the level of a control signal at an input terminal, control means for generating said control signal, first time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from a low level of volume to a higher level at a first rate of change, and second time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from the higher level of volume to a lower level at a second rate of change, the second rate of change being faster than the first rate of change.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for muting audio volume comprising: a voltage controlled amplifier for amplifying an audio signal wherein the gain of the amplifier is determined in response to the level of a control signal at an input terminal, control means for generating said control signal, first time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change form a low level of volume to a higher level at a first rate of change, and second time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from the higher level of volume to a lower level at a second rate of change, the second rate of change being faster than the first rate of change for muting the volume of the audio signal in response to a change of operational status of the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for muting audio volume comprising: a voltage controlled amplifier for amplifying an audio signal wherein the gain of the amplifier is determined in response to the level of a control signal at an input terminal, control means for generating said control signal, first time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change form a low level of volume to a higher level at a first rate of change, and second time constant means coupled to said control means for causing said control signal to change from the higher level of volume to a lower level at a second rate of change, the second rate of change being faster than the first rate of change for muting the volume of the audio signal in response to a change of operational status of the apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |