Microphone and remote control system

• US 4,371,750 A
• Filed: 07/24/1980
• Issued: 02/01/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John B. Markley
• Original Assignee: John B. Markley
• Inventors: Markley, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Popek, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US06/171,741
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 179/1 VL, 179/1 SW, 179/178, 179/179, 455/77, 455/78, 455/89, 455/90, 455/95, 455/99, 455/128, 455/345, 455/351, 369/25
• US Class Current: 381/81
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 1/02 Remote control of amplification, tone or bandwidth combined with remote tuning or selection of resonant circuits H03J
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/04 Structural association of microphone with electric circuitry therefor in deaf-aid sets H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/005 for combining the signals of two or more microphones specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

A microphone and remote control system includes a microphone assembly having a microphone, at least two manually adjustable gain control devices, at least two switches, and a housing enclosing the gain control devices and switches and having the microphone mounted thereon. One gain control device is coupled to the microphone for selectively adjusting the output level thereof. A connector assembly includes a first connector coupled to the one gain control device with a mating connector adapted to be coupled to the input of an audio output system. A second connector is coupled to the other gain control device and a mating connector is adapted to be coupled to the output circuit of audio reproduction apparatus, such as a tape deck. A third connector is coupled to the other gain control device and a mating connector is adapted to be coupled to the audio output system. The audio reproduction apparatus includes "start" and "stop" input circuits for controlling the start and stop functions thereof. A fourth connector is coupled to the two switches and a mating connector is adapted to be coupled to the input circuits of the audio reproduction apparatus. The connectors are respectively coupled to the gain control devices and the switches by a multi-conductor, flexible cable.

Claims

1. An electrical control apparatus comprising a public address system having a microphone circuit, an amplifier and a speaker for audibly reproducing signals from said amplifier;

a first gain control coupled between the microphone circuit and amplifier for controlling the amplitude of microphone signals from said microphone circuit;

audio reproduction apparatus selectively connected to said amplifier for generating signals reproducible by said amplifier and speaker concurrently with said microphone signals;

a first control function means for controlling the operation of said audio reproduction apparatus;

said first control function means including a first switch and a second gain control;

a hand-held accessory unit carrying said first gain control and said first control function means, said unit being remotely located with respect to said amplifier, speaker and audio reproduction apparatus;

a connecting accessory also remotely located and carrying one or more electrical connecting devices each composed of male and female connectors, said connectors each including conductive contacts, said first gain control and said first control function means including first electrical leads connected between said hand-held unit and predetermined ones of said connecting devices whereby the microphone circuit and said audio reproduction apparatus may be controlled in reproducing audio signals from both concurrently,

said connecting devices further being connected between

(a) said first gain control and said amplifier, speaker and audio reproduction apparatus,

(b) between said first control function means and said amplifier, speaker, and audio reproduction apparatus, and between

(c) said audio reproduction apparatus and said amplifier.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said microphone circuit comprises a microphone on said hand-held unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first gain control and said first control function means include second electrical leads connected between said connecting accessory and said audio reproduction apparatus, said amplifier and speaker.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first electrical leads are in the form of multi-conductor flexible cable.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said hand-held unit includes a housing enclosing said first ans second gain controls and said switch, said microphone bein on said housing, and said gain controls and switch being manually operable.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said gain controls are linear variable resistance devices respectively having linearly movable control elements, said housing having a wall with elongated slots formed therein, said control elements respectively extending outwardly through said slots, said switch having an actuating element extending through an opening in said wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are at least two switches like said one switch, said audio reproduction apparatus having "start" and "stop" function input circuits, said two switches having electrical leads connected via connecting devices within said connecting accessory to said "start" and "stop" circuits for controlling the "start" and "stop" functions of said audio reproduction apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein there are four of said connecting devices, one interconnecting said microphone circuit and first gain control with said amplifier and speaker, a second interconnecting one side of said second gain control with said amplifier and speaker, a third interconnecting the other side of said second gain control with an output circuit of said audio reproduction apparatus, and the fourth interconnecting said two switches, respectively, with said "start" and "stop" circuits.