CLOCK RADIO RECEIVER HAVING PRESETTABLE TIME RESPONSIVE AUTOMATIC VARACTOR TUNING WITH MEMORY FEATURES

• US 3,593,148 A
• Filed: 09/25/1969
• Issued: 07/13/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eugene M. Cummings
• Original Assignee: Eugene M. Cummings
• Inventors: Cummings, Eugene M.
• Application Number:
  US04/861,098
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• US Class Current: 455/171.1
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 23/00 Clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at preselected times or after preselected time-intervals if restricted to producing acoustic time signals by electrical means G04C21/00; mechanical alarm clocks G04B23/02; apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined intervals G04F3/06; time or time-programme switches which automatically terminate their operation after the programme is completed H01H43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/0218 Discontinuous tuning using an electrical variable impedance element, e.g. a voltage variable reactive diode, by selecting the corresponding analogue value between a set of preset values

Abstract

A clock radio of the type including a voltage variable capacitance diode in its tuned circuitry is disclosed in which adjustable voltage sources are arranged with switches and the radioclock to permit both the choice of a station for normal operation by the adjustment of a first voltage source applied to the variable capacitor, and the like preselection of another station on a second voltage source to be applied automatically at a later preset time by a clock-controlled switch. The former station choice can always be immediately restored without any returning by causing the appropriately adjusted voltage source to be switched back into the tuned circuit. In addition, provision is easily made for allowing the listener to select both his normal mode station choice and his clock mode station choice from a number of preset station possibilities.

Claims

1. A clock radio or the like comprising:

a broadcast receiver for receiving programs broadcast on any of a pluralIty of operating stations;

a clock;

a tuned circuit including a capacitance responsive to an applied voltage for tuning said receiver to any desired one of said stations;

mode switch means operable to any of three positions, including an ON position for turning said receiver on, an OFF position for turning it off, and a conditioning position for conditioning it to turn on automatically at a preselected future time;

a first voltage source connectable to said voltage-responsive capacitance when said mode switch is in the ON position and adjustable to cause selection by said tuned circuit of a first operating station;

a second adjustable voltage source independent of said first voltage source connectable to said voltage-responsive capacitance when said mode switch is in the conditioning position and adjustable to effect preselection of a second station by said tuned circuit without disturbing operation of the radio on said first operating station;

sleep switch means operable to override said mode switch means and turn the receiver on to receive said first station selected by means of said first adjustable voltage source and to turn said receiver off automatically after passage of a predetermined time interval; and

means including a switch actuated by said clock at said preselected future time for connecting said first voltage source to said voltage-responsive capacitance when said mode switch is in the ON position, and for turning said receiver on and connecting said second voltage source to said capacitance at said preselected time while disconnecting said first voltage source from said capacitance when said mode switch in the conditioning position, thereby automatically tuning said preselected second station at said preselected time while leaving undisturbed the adjustment for said first station to allow its immediate restoration without retuning.

2. A clock radio or the like as in claim 1 wherein said first and second adjustable voltage sources each are comprised of a plurality of voltage sources each presettable to furnish a plurality of voltage levels characteristic respectively of a plurality of operating stations and a selector switch means for selecting one of said plurality of voltage sources for connection to said voltage-responsive capacitance, thereby affording the listener a plurality of presettable station choices both for the selection of said first operating station and for the preselection of said second operating station.