Remote-control system for coin-operated phonographs

• US 4,413,260 A
• Filed: 08/31/1981
• Issued: 11/01/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stern Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stern Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Polanek, Edward L., Miller, Anthony J., Siegel, Lawrence, Woodman, Alan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US06/297,990
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.25, 340/825.72, 340/825.64, 340/168 B, 340/168 R, 455/151, 194/15
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• 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: H03G 3/04 in untuned amplifiers

Abstract

A coin-operated phonograph in which certain functions are remotely controlled. A transmitter is provided for transmitting a number of modulated carrier signals, including an up volume signal and a down volume signal. The phonograph carries a multi-channel receiver that is adapted for receiving the carrier signals transmitted by the transmitter. A detector is connected to the receiver for detecting the modulated carrier signals. An amplifier with gain control is provided and is controlled in accordance with receipt of the modulated carrier signals. A manually-operable volume control switch is carried by the phonograph and may be used instead of the transmitter to control the gain of the amplifier.

Claims

1. A remote-controlled phonograph which comprises:

a volume control switch that is manually-operable;

an amplifier with gain control;

a multi-channel receiver adapted for receiving modulated carrier signals, said multi-channel receiver including one channel corresponding to a first modulated carrier signal representing lower volume and a second channel corresponding to a second modulated carrier signal representing higher volume, each of said modulated carrier signals comprising a pulse-width modulated carrier signal;

detector means connected to said receiver for detecting said modulated carrier signals, said detector means comprising a pulse-width detector;

a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of modulated carrier signals;

switch means coupled to said detector means and operable in response to detection of predetermined modulated carrier signals, said switch means comprising a separate switch for each modulated carrier signal, each switch being operable to aid in controlling a selected parameter;

volume control means coupling said switch means to said amplifier to vary the gain of said amplifier in response to operation of said switch means, said volume control means comprising gating means coupling both said switch means and said manually-operable volume control switch to said amplifier;

said gating means comprising a separate gate for each modulated carrier signal; and

means for providing an enable signal for each gate.

2. A remote-controlled phonograph as described in claim 1, said switch means comprising a grounded emitter transistor for each modulated carrier signal.

3. A remote-controlled phonograph as described in claim 1, said volume control means including a counter and a digital to analog converter coupled to the output of said counter;

said switch means including a volume up switch and a volume down switch;

means for incrementing said counter in response to operation of said volume up switch;

means for decrementing said counter in response to operation of said volume down switch.