US5753980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic prevention of inadvertent operation of electronic devices
Assignee: Technicolor USA Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-25
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Granted: 1998-05-19
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Expires: 2016-04-25
Abstract
Abstract Portable electronic equipment is disclosed which includes a source of power and operational circuitry. A load device, which may be internal or external to the equipment, is coupleable to the operational circuitry. A switch is coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry and connects the power source to the operating circuitry only when the load device is coupled to the operational circuitry. In portable audio equipment, for example, the switch connects the power source to the operational circuitry only if an external or the internal speaker is coupled to the operational circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Carl Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W52/00; H04W52/02; H04W52/0209; H04W52/0251; H04W52/0254; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
Portable electronic equipment connectable to a source of power, comprising: operational circuitry; an external device, coupleable to the operational circuitry; and a switch activated directly by coupling of the external device to the operational circuitry for switching between a first open position of the switch and a second closed position of the switch; the first open position of the switch decoupling the operational circuitry from the power source and the second closed position of the switch coupling the operational circuitry to the power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
Portable electronic equipment connectable to a source of power, comprising: operational circuitry; an external device, coupleable to the operational circuitry; and a switch activated directly by coupling of the external device to the operational circuitry for switching between a first open position of the switch and a second closed position of the switch; the first open position of the switch decoupling the operational circuitry from the power source and the second closed position of the switch coupling the operational circuitry to the power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The equipment of claim 1 further comprising: a detector for detecting when the external device is coupled to the operational circuitry; and wherein the switch comprises a series connected pair of a user operated switch, and a second switch responsive to the detector, for closing when the detector has detected that the external device is coupled to the operational circuitry, and opening otherwise.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The equipment of claim 2 wherein: the external device comprises a plug for coupling to the operational circuitry; and the detector comprises a jack positioned to cooperate with the second switch, wherein the second switch is closed when the plug is inserted into the jack and open when the plug is not inserted into the jack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
Portable electronic equipment, comprising: a source of power; operational circuitry; an external device, coupleable to the operational circuitry; an internal device, selectively coupled to the operational circuitry; a switch, coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry, for connecting the power source to the operational circuitry only when at least one of the external device and the internal device is coupled to the operational circuitry; and a double pole single throw switch having a first pole coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry and a second pole coupled between the operational circuitry and the internal device; and wherein: the switch comprises a series connection of a user operated switch and the first pole of the double pole single throw switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
Portable electronic equipment, comprising: a source of power; operational circuitry; an external device, coupleable to the operational circuitry; an internal device, selectively coupled to the operational circuitry; a switch, coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry, for connecting the power source to the operational circuitry only when at least one of the external device and the internal device is coupled to the operational circuitry; and a double pole single throw switch having a first pole coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry and a second pole coupled between the operational circuitry and the internal device; and wherein: the switch comprises a series connection of a user operated switch and the first pole of the double pole single throw switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
Portable electronic equipment, comprising: a source of power; operational circuitry; an external device, coupleable to the operational circuitry; an internal device, selectively coupled to the operational circuitry; a switch, coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry, for connecting the power source to the operational circuitry only when at least one of the external device and the internal device is coupled to the operational circuitry; and a detector for detecting when the external device is coupled to the operational circuitry; and wherein: the switch comprises a series connection of a user operated switch and a second switch, responsive to the detector, for closing when the detector has detected that the external device is coupled to the operational circuitry, and opening otherwise.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
Portable electronic equipment, comprising: a source of power; operational circuitry; an external device, coupleable to the operational circuitry; an internal device, selectively coupled to the operational circuitry; a switch, coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry, for connecting the power source to the operational circuitry only when at least one of the external device and the internal device is coupled to the operational circuitry; and a detector for detecting when the external device is coupled to the operational circuitry; and wherein: the switch comprises a series connection of a user operated switch and a second switch, responsive to the detector, for closing when the detector has detected that the external device is coupled to the operational circuitry, and opening otherwise.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The equipment of claim 6 wherein: the external device comprises a plug for coupling to the operational circuitry; and the detector comprises a jack positioned to cooperate with the second switch, wherein the second switch is closed when the plug is inserted into the jack and open when the plug is not inserted into the jack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The equipment of claim 5 further comprising a third switch, coupled in parallel with the second switch, for closing when the internal device is couple to the operational circuitry and opening otherwise.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The equipment of claim 7 wherein the third switch comprises a double pole single throw switch having a first pole coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry and the internal device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The equipment of claim 1 wherein the external device is an external speaker.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The equipment of claim 1 wherein the external device is an internal speaker.
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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) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-11-17 | 2002-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-18 | 2005-11-17 | 2006-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-17 | 2010-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |