Entertainment system with bandless tuning, remote control, alarm and universal docking

• US 20070015457A1
• Filed: 10/27/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Inventors: Krampf, Steven, Phung, Trung, Ross, Evan
• Granted Patent: US 7,885,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.60
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/185 Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/25 Remote control device with display
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/088 with parts of the receiver detachable or collapsible
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/45 for FM stereophonic broadcast systems receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe” volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.

Claims

1. An entertainment system comprising:

a. a base unit having electronics including a transceiver for interacting, at least at times, with a control unit via a wireless link; and

b. a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection therebetween and including a transceiver which is actuated for interacting with the base unit via said wireless link when the control unit is undocked from the base unit.

2. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the wireless link is an RF link.

3. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the wireless link is an optical link.

4. The entertainment system of claim 1, further including an audio signal source interface connectable to at least one detachable auxiliary source module usable as a source of electronic content delivery to the base unit.

5. The entertainment system of claim 4, wherein the interface comprises:

a. the base unit having a first connector; and

b. an adapter module having

i. a second connector for mating with the first connector,

ii. a third connector for mating with a connector on said auxiliary source module, and

iii. corresponding terminals of the second connector being electrically connected to corresponding terminals of the third connector, said correspondences being determined by terminal arrangements on said auxiliary source module connector.

6. The entertainment system of claim 5, wherein the adapter module further includes a mechanical adapter configured and arranged to retain and support the auxiliary source module against lateral movement.

7. The entertainment system of claim 4, wherein the base unit includes an audio amplifier and the auxiliary source module is selectable as a source of audio signals for input to the amplifier.

8. The entertainment system of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary source module supplies analog audio signals.

9. The entertainment system of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary source module supplies digital audio signals and the base unit further includes a decoder which receives the digital audio signals and supplies corresponding analog audio signals to the input of the amplifier.

10. A radio tuning interface which presents to a user a bandless tuning experience over multiple signal bands.

11. A radio tuning interface for a radio receiver having apparatus for receiving signals broadcast on a first band and signals broadcast on a second band, said interface providing a user only a single frequency selection knob for selecting broadcast frequencies on both bands by presenting the bands as successive rotationally adjacent positions of the knob.

12. The interface of claim 11, wherein the interface includes a counter for tracking rotational position of the knob and a processor for generating signals in response to said rotational position, the signals mapping the rotational position to a band and a position within the band, a display connected and arranged to display said band and position within the band, and a tuner interface supplying said band and position signals to a tuner unit.

13. The interface of claim 12 wherein said position within the band correlates to a frequency.

14. An adapter module for use in connection with an entertainment system to allow an auxiliary source module to be plugged into the entertainment system, said module comprising:

a. an electrical sub-assembly having

i. a second connector for mating with the first connector,

ii. a third connector for mating with a connector on said auxiliary source module, and

iii. electrical interconnections between corresponding terminals of the second and third connectors, said correspondences being determined by terminal arrangements on said auxiliary source module connector; and

b. a mechanical sub-assembly configured to receive and retain the auxiliary support module against lateral motion.

15. The adapter of claim 14 wherein the mechanical sub-assembly includes a well configured to receive and retain the auxiliary support module.

16. An alarm clock/radio combination wherein the volume of the radio when in alarm mode is independent of the volume of the radio when in radio mode.

17. An alarm clock/radio combination comprising:

a. an input selector which receives a plurality of audio signal sources as input and selects one as output in response to a control signal, said signal sources including one or more of an auxiliary input jack, an auxiliary source module, an alarm buzz signal and a tuner 114;

b. an amplifier controlled by an on/off signal supplied from a processor 115;

c. a headphone jack;

d. circuitry to monitor the condition of the headphone jack and providing a corresponding signal to the processor;

e. the processor determining whether a headphone is plugged into the headphone jack and when a headphone is plugged into the jack, turning off the amplifier;

f. for each of the audio signal sources, a distinct volume control setting; and

g. the processor executing a program that turns on the amplifier when an alarm “

goes off,”

irrespective of the sensed condition of the headphone jack.

18. The alarm clock/radio of claim 17, wherein the alarm volume is controlled by a pre-saved alarm volume setting, irrespective of the volume settings for any of the inputs.