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US5161131A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

In line switchable audio enhancement device for CD adapter

Assignee: Thomson Licensing SAS
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Filing: 1992-03-27
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Granted: 1992-11-03
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Expires: 2012-03-27
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Abstract

Abstract In order to utilize standard tape players in automobiles to play compact disks, CD adapters are provided which play the CD output through the tape system of the automobile. This invention provides an in-line audio enhancement encapsulated device, manually operable by a driver to switch in the audio enhancement circuitry and adjust the audio signals produced in an efficient and safe manner so that it can be operated while a car is driven without the driver taking his eyes off the road. A bass boost circuit (24) is specifically disclosed to enhance the low frequency audio signals procuced by the automobile's audio system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert L. Borchardt
  • 👤 Larry Schotz

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 23:08
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/049; G11B31/00; H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 297 words
A manually switched audio enhancement device comprising a CD adapter usable by a driver seated in the driver's seat of an automobile, said CD adapter insertible in an automobile tape player, a CD player having an output connected to said CD adapter, a flexible electrical conductor comprising a covered elongated electrical wire means connected between said CD player and said CD adapter, said electrical conductor being located proximate to the driver's seat, said audio enhancement device being contained within a housing, said housing comprising a switch to operate said audio enhancement device, said audio enhancement device connected along the electrical conductor between said CD player and said CD adapter enabling the driver to physically reach and feel along the flexible electrical conductor for the housing and switch of the audio enhancement device to switch the audio enhancement device on or off without having to look at said audio enhancement device and switch, said CD adapter comprising magnetic play heads comprising inductance means, an input impedance network including a resistor having a resistance of about 680 ohms emphasizing a high frequency impedance effect, connected between the output of said CD player and said inductance means, said input impedance having a value in combination with that of said inductance means to produce increased signal levels across said magnetic play heads in the high audio frequency ranges and produce a bass boost; and wherein said audio enhancement device further includes: first and second resistors (30) in parallel; first and second capacitors (32) in series with said first and second resistors; and said switch is operable to allow said first resistor to be connected in series with said first capacitor, and said second resistor to be connected in series with said second capacitor when said switch is in an on mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 297 words
A manually switched audio enhancement device comprising a CD adapter usable by a driver seated in the driver's seat of an automobile, said CD adapter insertible in an automobile tape player, a CD player having an output connected to said CD adapter, a flexible electrical conductor comprising a covered elongated electrical wire means connected between said CD player and said CD adapter, said electrical conductor being located proximate to the driver's seat, said audio enhancement device being contained within a housing, said housing comprising a switch to operate said audio enhancement device, said audio enhancement device connected along the electrical conductor between said CD player and said CD adapter enabling the driver to physically reach and feel along the flexible electrical conductor for the housing and switch of the audio enhancement device to switch the audio enhancement device on or off without having to look at said audio enhancement device and switch, said CD adapter comprising magnetic play heads comprising inductance means, an input impedance network including a resistor having a resistance of about 680 ohms emphasizing a high frequency impedance effect, connected between the output of said CD player and said inductance means, said input impedance having a value in combination with that of said inductance means to produce increased signal levels across said magnetic play heads in the high audio frequency ranges and produce a bass boost; and wherein said audio enhancement device further includes: first and second resistors (30) in parallel; first and second capacitors (32) in series with said first and second resistors; and said switch is operable to allow said first resistor to be connected in series with said first capacitor, and said second resistor to be connected in series with said second capacitor when said switch is in an on mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
An audio enhancement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said audio enhancement circuit and said CD adapter operates to increase high frequency audio signals produced by said tape player.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
An audio enhancement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing is molded of plastic, and said switch is incorporated in said plastic housing.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-11-03 1996-05-04 1996-11-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-11-03 2000-05-04 2000-11-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-11-03 2004-05-04 2004-11-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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