Wireless signal transmission system, method apparatus

• US 6,215,981 B1
• Filed: 04/17/1997
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Recoton Corporation
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Efrain L., Nawarange, Ashok, McGreevy, William T., Borchardt, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Application Number:
  US08/839,356
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 455/42, 455/43, 455/66, 455/95, 455/110, 455/111, 455/112, 455/113, 455/120, 455/121, 455/122, 455/123, 455/124, 455/125, 455/205, 455/208, 455/214, 455/344, 455/351, 455/352, 455/127, 455/343, 455/318, 348/725, 348/731, 348/738, 381/2-3
• US Class Current: 455/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0096 where a full band is frequency converted into another full band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/086 Portable receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/18 Input circuits, e.g. for coupling to an antenna or a transmission line coupling networks between antennas or lines and receivers independent of the nature of the receiver H03H
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/26 for superheterodyne receivers multiple frequency-changing H03D7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1025 Accumulators or arrangements for charging secondary cells per se H01M10/00; charging in general H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for conducting local wireless audio signal transmissions from a local audio signal source to a person within a local signal transmission area. In certain embodiments, the transmissions are conducted over the 900 MHz local transmission band to a portable receiver unit supported on the headband of a stereo headphone unit. The receiver unit serves to down convert the 900 MHz signal to a local frequency band which is received by an FM receiver of the receiver unit which serves to reproduce the audio signals therefrom which are, in turn, converted to acoustic signals by electroacoustic transducers of the headphone. A transmitter unit includes a ceramic resonator stabilized FM transmitter, as well a filter for suppressing high frequency noise in an audio modulation signal, a stereo audio multiplexing unit utilizing a 3f_H subcarrier and an overmodulation detection unit. In certain embodiments, the receiver unit is powered by a rechargeable battery which is recharged from the transmitter unit.

Claims

1. A local area wireless stand alone audio signal transmission and receiver system comprising:

a transmitter transmitting through the air audio signals frequency modulated, carried on a carrier at a first, relatively high frequency at least as high as approximately 900 MHz; and

a receiver located within said local area comprising;

an antenna to receive the transmitted FM audio signals;

a first downconverter connected to said antenna to downconvert the carrier frequency of the transmitted FM audio signals to a second frequency which is lower than the first high frequency,

an FM radio receiver wired to said first downconverter to receive said audio signals carried on said second carrier frequency;

said FM radio receiver comprising a second downconverter to downconvert from said second carrier frequency to a lower frequency used to produce said audio signals,

at least one electro acoustical transducer connected to said receiver to produce audio sounds therefrom;

wherein said receiver and said electro acoustical transducer are capable of being easily moved by an individual within said local area while still receiving said transmitted FM audio signals.

2. A local area wireless stand alone audio signal transmission and receiver system according to claim 1, wherein said second frequency is outside the commercial FM band of 88 to 108 MHz.

3. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 2, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

4. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 2, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

5. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 2, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

6. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

7. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

8. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 1, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

9. A local area wireless stand alone audio signal transmission and receiver system according to claim 1, wherein said second frequency is outside the commercial FM band of 88 to 108 MHz.

10. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 9, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

11. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 9, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

12. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 9, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

13. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 9, wherein the receiver is portable.

14. A local area wireless stand alone receiver for audio signals transmitted as FM audio signals carried on a carrier at a first relatively high frequency at least as high as approximately 900 MHz;

said receiver being movable from place to place by the user within the local area and further comprising;

an antenna to receive the transmitted FM audio signals;

a first downconverter connected to said antenna to downconvert the carrier frequency of the transmitted FM audio signals to a second frequency which is lower than the first high frequency,

an FM radio receiver wired to said first downconverter to receive said audio signals carried on said second carrier frequency;

said FM radio receiver comprising a second downconverter to downconvert from said second carrier frequency to a lower frequency used to produce said audio signals,

at least one electro acoustical transducer connected to said receiver to produce said audio sounds therefrom.

15. A local area wireless stand alone audio signal transmission and receiver system according to claim 14, wherein said second frequency is outside the commercial FM band of 88 to 108 MHz.

16. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 15, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

17. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 15, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

18. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 15, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

19. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 14, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

20. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 14, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

21. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 14, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

22. A local area wireless stand alone audio signal transmission and receiver system for transmitting audio signals from an electronic audio signal source to electro acoustical transducers, such system comprising:

a transmitter transmitting FM audio signals at a first carrier frequency at least as high as approximately 900 MHz;

a receiver located within said local area, comprising;

an antenna to receive the transmitted FM audio signals at

said first carrier frequency;

a downconverter responsive to a local oscillator and to said FM audio signals received by said antenna to convert the carrier frequency of the transmitted FM audio signals to a second carrier frequency lower than the first carrier frequency;

a standard FM audio receiver component connected to said downconverter and responsive to said FM audio signals at said second carrier frequency to produce said audio signals to operate the electroacoustic transducers.

23. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 22, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

24. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 22, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

25. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 22, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

26. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 22, wherein the receiver is portable.

27. A local area wireless stand alone audio receiver system for receiving transmitted FM audio signals emitted from an electronic audio signal source to be supplied to electro acoustical transducers;

said receiver system comprising

a receiver located within said local area

an antenna to receive the transmitted FM audio signals in a

frequency band above 900 MHz;

said transmitted audio signals being carried on a first carrier frequency at least as high as approximately 900 MHz;

a mixer responsive to a local oscillator and to signals received by said antenna to convert the first carrier frequency of the transmitted FM audio signals to a second carrier frequency lower than the first carrier frequency;

a standard FM audio receiver component connected to said mixer and responsive to said FM audio signals at said second carrier frequency to produce said audio signals to operate the electroacoustic transducers.

28. A local area wireless stand alone audio signal transmission and receiver system according to claim 27, wherein said second frequency is outside the commercial FM band of 88 to 108 MHz.

29. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 28, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

30. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 28, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

31. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 28, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

32. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 28, wherein the receiver is portable.

33. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 27, wherein said receiver is housed in headphones.

34. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 27, wherein said receiver is housed within a portable speaker.

35. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 27, wherein said source of audio signals comprises a source of stereo audio signals.

36. The local area wireless audio signal transmission and receiver system of claim 27, wherein the receiver is portable.