Single use radio device and method for using the same

• US 5,161,250 A
• Filed: 04/12/1990
• Issued: 11/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Play Action Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Play Action Incorporated
• Inventors: Deshong, John C., Ianna, Joseph T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charouel, Lisa
• Application Number:
  US07/508,646
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 455/39, 455/41, 455/49, 455/66, 455/67, 455/100, 455/346-349, 455/344, 455/343, 381/92, 381/81, 381/155, 340/522, 340/573
• US Class Current: 455/66.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/086 Portable receivers

Abstract

A radio device designed to receive a broadcast of player or performer conversations and/or sounds at sporting or performance events but to be useless after the event; and a method of picking up player or performance conversations and/or sounds and transmitting them to purchasers of the devices.

Claims

1. A disposable use apparatus comprising a housing, a battery and a battery-operated device for receiving low power, special frequency radio signals, said apparatus having no means for being turned off and no means for battery replacement or recharging, said battery being permanently sealed within said housing and having a short useful life of less than one day, wherein said device is a converter which is capable of receiving a special frequency radio signal and converting it to an unassigned, regular frequency which can be received by a conventional, portable radio receiver without interference by a conventional station broadcast.

2. A system comprising a disposable use device comprising a housing, a battery and a battery-operated device for receiving low power, special frequency radio signals, said device having no means for being turned off and no means for battery replacement or recharging, said battery being permanently sealed within said housing and having a short useful life of less than one day, said system further including a low power radio transmitter tuned or tunable to said special frequency and including at least one sound pickup assembly comprising a sensitive directional microphone.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said microphone is a parabolic microphone capable of picking up sounds from substantial distances.

4. A system comprising:

(a) a disposable, battery-operated device, pretuned or tunable to a special frequency, capable of receiving low power, special frequency radio signals, having no means for being turned off and no means of battery replacement and wherein said battery has a short useful life of less than one day, said device being selected from the group consisting of (i) a converter which is capable of receiving a special frequency radio signal and converting it to an unassigned, regular frequency which can be received by a conventional, portable radio receiver without interference by a conventional station broadcast, and (ii) a radio receiver capable of receiving said special frequency radio signal,

(b) at least one sound pickup assembly comprising a sensitive directional microphone, and

(c) a low power radio transmitter tuned or tunable to said special frequency, and

(d) means for feeding sound picked up by said sound pickup assembly to said transmitter.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said microphone is a parabolic microphone capable of picking up sounds from substantial distances.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said battery has a capacity to operate said device for no more than 6 to 8 hours from the time said device is turned on.

7. A method allowing certain spectators or attendees at a sporting event or other performance event to hear player/participant conversation or sounds at such sporting event or performance event comprising:

(a) providing said spectators/attendees with devices comprised of a disposable use apparatus comprising a housing, a battery and a battery-operated device for receiving low power, special frequency radio signals, said apparatus having no means for being turned off and no means for battery replacement or recharging, said battery being permanently sealed within said housing and having a short useful life of less than one day;

(b) using a sound pickup assembly comprised of a sensitive directional microphone to pick up player/participant conversation or sounds on a playing field or performance area, said microphone being located outside of said playing field or performance area;

(c) transmitting the appropriate portions of said conversation or sounds over a special frequency radio signal at a power level selected to allow said signal to be received by said devices.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said device is a frequency converter capable of receiving a special frequency radio signal and converting it to an unassigned, regular frequency which can be received by a conventional, portable radio receiver used by said spectators and/or attendees without interference by a conventional station broadcast.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said device is a radio receiver capable of receiving a special frequency radio signal.