US5596648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared audio transmitter system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-12-29
•
Granted: 1997-01-21
•
Expires: 2014-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An infrared assistive listening system capable of enhanced performance in medium-sized locations, such as courtrooms, classrooms, and conference rooms, is realized by a system comprising a pressure zone microphone capable of picking up distant speakers, a high-gain pre-amplifier, an equalization and pre-emphasis circuit, an automatic gain control and limiting circuit, a mute feature capable of remote activation, a FM modulator, a pulse width modulator, and a high-power single front throw infrared emitter. Another embodiment of the invention employs an multi-directional infrared emitter array in conjunction with the single front throw emitter.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence R. Fast
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An infrared signal transmitter comprising: a signal generator; a housing in which said signal generator is housed; a mount; a plurality of infrared transmitting elements disposed on said mount and operatively connected to said signal generator for transmitting infrared signals in a multi-directional pattern, said plurality of infrared transmitting elements including a single front throw emitter for transmitting said infrared signals substantially along a single direction, and a multi-directional emitter for transmitting said infrared signals at least along the rear and sides of said single direction; and means jointly secured to said mount and said housing for extending said mount substantially above said housing so as to allow said transmitting elements to transmit said infrared signals substantially unobstructed to a user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An infrared signal transmitter comprising: a signal generator; a housing in which said signal generator is housed; a mount; a plurality of infrared transmitting elements disposed on said mount and operatively connected to said signal generator for transmitting infrared signals in a multi-directional pattern, said plurality of infrared transmitting elements including a single front throw emitter for transmitting said infrared signals substantially along a single direction, and a multi-directional emitter for transmitting said infrared signals at least along the rear and sides of said single direction; and means jointly secured to said mount and said housing for extending said mount substantially above said housing so as to allow said transmitting elements to transmit said infrared signals substantially unobstructed to a user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising: mating plug-in connector parts on said housing and said mount through which said mount is removably secured to said housing and through which said transmitting elements are operatively connected to said signal generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising: mating plug-in connector parts on said housing and said means for extending through which said mount is removably secured to said housing and through which said transmitting elements are operatively connected to said signal generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 3 wherein said mating plug-in connector parts include co-axial connectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 4 wherein said co-axial connectors are BNC connectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein said means for extending is of sufficient mechanical strength to support said mount and operatively connected between said housing and said mount so as to provide an electrical path between said signal generator and said plurality of infrared transmitting elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein said means for extending is a gooseneck stalk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 7 wherein said gooseneck stalk is sufficiently flexible so as to allow said transmitting elements to be positioned with respect to said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein said multidirectional pattern is a single directional pattern and an omnidirectional pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising: a microphone permanently affixed within said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 10 wherein said microphone is a pressure zone microphone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein said infrared transmitting elements include a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes housed in said mount along equidistant positions over a 360° degree circumference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising a chrome reflector, said infrared transmitting elements mounted through said chrome reflector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising: a battery in said housing operable to power said signal generator and said infrared transmitting elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising: means for muting said signal generator such that said plurality of infrared transmitting elements transmit an unmodulated carder signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein said multi-directional emitter includes a circular array of infrared light emitting diodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein said single throw emitter and said multi-directional emitter transmit infrared signals simultaneously.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
An infrared signal transmitter comprising: a signal generator; a housing in which said signal generator is housed; a mount; a single front throw emitter operatively connected to said signal generator for transmitting infrared signals substantially along a single direction; and a multi-directional emitter operatively connected to said signal generator for transmitting infrared signals at least along the rear and sides of said single direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
An infrared signal transmitter comprising: a signal generator; a housing in which said signal generator is housed; a mount; a single front throw emitter operatively connected to said signal generator for transmitting infrared signals substantially along a single direction; and a multi-directional emitter operatively connected to said signal generator for transmitting infrared signals at least along the rear and sides of said single direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 18 further comprising means jointly secured to said mount and said housing for extending said mount substantially above said housing so as to allow said single front throw emitter and said multi-directional emitter to transmit said infrared signals substantially unobstructed to a user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The infrared signal transmitter of claim 18 wherein said mount is removably secured to said housing and through which said single front throw emitter and said multi-directional emitter are operatively connected to said signal generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2623527A1
Cited
DE2707743A1
Cited
DE3036567A1
Cited
DE3127669A1
Cited
US4727600A
Cited
DE3517819A1
Cited
DE3518667A1
Cited
DE3519494A1
Cited
JPS63105540A
Cited
US4831656A
Cited
US5214422A
Cited
US5359448A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-21 | 2000-07-22 | 2001-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-21 | 2004-07-22 | 2005-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-21 | 2008-07-22 | 2009-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |