WO2001037466A2 - Electronic apparatus including sound reproduction means that plays a prerecorded message when the on-off switch is operated - Google Patents

Electronic apparatus including sound reproduction means that plays a prerecorded message when the on-off switch is operated Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001037466A2
WO2001037466A2 PCT/ZA2000/000210 ZA0000210W WO0137466A2 WO 2001037466 A2 WO2001037466 A2 WO 2001037466A2 ZA 0000210 W ZA0000210 W ZA 0000210W WO 0137466 A2 WO0137466 A2 WO 0137466A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
control
message
switch
sound reproduction
reproduction means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2000/000210
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001037466A3 (en
Inventor
Miron Markus
Original Assignee
Miron Markus
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Miron Markus filed Critical Miron Markus
Priority to AU18227/01A priority Critical patent/AU1822701A/en
Publication of WO2001037466A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001037466A2/en
Publication of WO2001037466A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001037466A3/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/10—Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
    • H04H20/106—Receiver-side switching

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means, and to a method of operating it.
  • Such apparatus can be in the form of a radio receiver, television receiver, tape cassette player, compact disc (CD) player, CD shuttle, "Minidisc” player, digital audio tape (DAT) player, or the like.
  • the invention relates to such apparatus which has an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus.
  • the operator control can, for example, be in the form of an on-off switch whereby the operator can switch the apparatus on or off.
  • electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means and an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus, the apparatus further including first means for storing a pre-recorded message, and second means responsive to operation of the operator control, to cause the message to be played via said sound reproduction means whenever the operator control is operated to control said conventional function.
  • the operator control may be an on-off switch of the apparatus.
  • the first means may be in the form of an integrated circuit memory device in which the message can be stored in digital form.
  • the integrated circuit memory device may be an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) .
  • a method of operating electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means and an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus comprising having a pre-recorded message stored in a memory forming part of the apparatus, detecting when the operator control is operated to control said conventional function and, in response thereto, to cause the message to be played via said sound reproduction means.
  • the sound that would otherwise have been produced by the sound reproduction means may be muted during the time that said message is being played.
  • Said message may be of an advertising or promotional nature.
  • said message may be caused to play once (or a predetermined number of times) whenever the control is operated to switch the apparatus on.
  • the arrangement may be such that said message is caused to play once (or a predetermined number of times) whenever the control is operated to switch the apparatus off.
  • Another possible option is for the arrangement to be such that, for as long as the apparatus is in the switched on condition, said message is caused to play at predetermined intervals of time.
  • reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a radio receiver for receiving commercial broadcast transmissions.
  • the apparatus comprises a conventional receiver 1 2, amplifier 1 4, and loudspeaker 1 6, the amplifier and loudspeaker together forming sound reproduction means.
  • the radio receiver 1 0 also comprises a conventional power supply 1 8 for supplying various circuit sections of the apparatus with power.
  • the power supply could, for example, be in the form of a battery, mains power supply, solar cell, and so on.
  • the radio receiver further comprises a conventional on-off switch 20 connected between the power supply 1 8 on the one hand, and the receiver 1 2 and amplifier 1 4 (and other circuit sections that may require power for their operation) on the other hand.
  • a module 22 which includes an
  • a pre-recorded message is stored in the EPROM 24, in digital form.
  • the message may be of an advertising or promotional nature, but it will be appreciated that it can be of any other informative nature.
  • the arrangement of the module 22 is such that it would, if not impossible, at least be very difficult for the radio receiver to be tampered with in order to bypass the module.
  • the switch 20 when the switch 20 is operated to switch the radio receiver on, the module 22 is activated to cause the message that is stored in the EPROM 24 to be fed to the amplifier module 1 4, to be amplified by the amplifier and played via the loudspeaker 1 6. While this is happening, the output from the receiver 1 2 is muted. Muting of the receiver 1 2 may be effected under control of the timer 26.
  • the muting is removed (which may again be effected under control of the timer 26), whereupon the radio receiver commences to operate in the normal manner.
  • the arrangement may be such that the message is played only once upon the radio receiver being switched on, or repeatedly, at pre-programmed intervals while the radio receiver is on.
  • a radio receiver that incorporates the means hereinbefore described can be supplied as a promotional item, gratis or at a cost which is below the commercial value of such apparatus, the cost being absorbed or subsidised as an advertising expense by the entity that stands to benefit from the advertising or promotional message.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)

Abstract

Electronic apparatus in the form of a radio receiver (10) for receiving commercial broadcast transmissions comprises sound reproduction means including an amplifier (14) and a loudspeaker (16), there being an on-off switch (20) which is connected between a power supply (18) and the sound reproduction means. The apparatus is further provided with a module (22) which includes an EPROM (24)and a timer (26). A pre-recorded message is stored in the EPROM. The arrangement is such that whenever, for example, the switch is operated to switch the radio receiver on, the module is activated to cause the pre-recorded message to be played via said sound reproduction means.

Description

ELECTRONIC APPARATUS OF THE KIND INCLUDING SOUND REPRODUCTION MEANS.
This invention relates to electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means, and to a method of operating it.
Such apparatus can be in the form of a radio receiver, television receiver, tape cassette player, compact disc (CD) player, CD shuttle, "Minidisc" player, digital audio tape (DAT) player, or the like.
More particularly, the invention relates to such apparatus which has an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus. The operator control can, for example, be in the form of an on-off switch whereby the operator can switch the apparatus on or off.
According to the invention there is provided electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means and an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus, the apparatus further including first means for storing a pre-recorded message, and second means responsive to operation of the operator control, to cause the message to be played via said sound reproduction means whenever the operator control is operated to control said conventional function.
The operator control may be an on-off switch of the apparatus. The first means may be in the form of an integrated circuit memory device in which the message can be stored in digital form. For example, the integrated circuit memory device may be an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) .
Further according to the invention there is provided a method of operating electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means and an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus, the method comprising having a pre-recorded message stored in a memory forming part of the apparatus, detecting when the operator control is operated to control said conventional function and, in response thereto, to cause the message to be played via said sound reproduction means.
The sound that would otherwise have been produced by the sound reproduction means, may be muted during the time that said message is being played.
Said message may be of an advertising or promotional nature.
In the event of the operator control being an on-off switch of the apparatus, said message may be caused to play once (or a predetermined number of times) whenever the control is operated to switch the apparatus on. Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that said message is caused to play once (or a predetermined number of times) whenever the control is operated to switch the apparatus off. Another possible option is for the arrangement to be such that, for as long as the apparatus is in the switched on condition, said message is caused to play at predetermined intervals of time.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a block diagram of a radio receiver in accordance with the invention.
Referring now to the drawing in more detail, reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a radio receiver for receiving commercial broadcast transmissions. The apparatus comprises a conventional receiver 1 2, amplifier 1 4, and loudspeaker 1 6, the amplifier and loudspeaker together forming sound reproduction means. The radio receiver 1 0 also comprises a conventional power supply 1 8 for supplying various circuit sections of the apparatus with power. The power supply could, for example, be in the form of a battery, mains power supply, solar cell, and so on. The radio receiver further comprises a conventional on-off switch 20 connected between the power supply 1 8 on the one hand, and the receiver 1 2 and amplifier 1 4 (and other circuit sections that may require power for their operation) on the other hand.
Between the switch 20 and the receiver and amplifier circuits 1 2, 1 4 there is connected a module 22 which includes an
EPROM chip 24 and a timer 26. A pre-recorded message is stored in the EPROM 24, in digital form. The message may be of an advertising or promotional nature, but it will be appreciated that it can be of any other informative nature. The arrangement of the module 22 is such that it would, if not impossible, at least be very difficult for the radio receiver to be tampered with in order to bypass the module. In operation, when the switch 20 is operated to switch the radio receiver on, the module 22 is activated to cause the message that is stored in the EPROM 24 to be fed to the amplifier module 1 4, to be amplified by the amplifier and played via the loudspeaker 1 6. While this is happening, the output from the receiver 1 2 is muted. Muting of the receiver 1 2 may be effected under control of the timer 26.
Once the pre-recorded message has been played, the muting is removed (which may again be effected under control of the timer 26), whereupon the radio receiver commences to operate in the normal manner.
The arrangement may be such that the message is played only once upon the radio receiver being switched on, or repeatedly, at pre-programmed intervals while the radio receiver is on.
A radio receiver that incorporates the means hereinbefore described can be supplied as a promotional item, gratis or at a cost which is below the commercial value of such apparatus, the cost being absorbed or subsidised as an advertising expense by the entity that stands to benefit from the advertising or promotional message.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . Electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means ( 1 4, 1 6) and an operator control (20) whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus, characterized in that it further includes first means (24) for storing a pre-recorded message, and second means (26) responsive to operation of the operator control, to cause the message to be played via said sound reproduction means whenever the operator control is operated to control said conventional function.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the operator control is an on-off switch (20) of the apparatus.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the first means is in the form of an integrated circuit memory device (26) in which the message can be stored in digital form .
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the integrated circuit memory device is an EPROM (26) .
5. A method of operating electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means (1 4, 1 6) and an operator control (20) whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus, characterized in that it comprises having a pre-recorded message stored in a memory (26) forming part of the apparatus, detecting when the operator control is operated to control said conventional function and, in response thereto, to cause the message to be played via said sound reproduction means.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the sound that would otherwise have been produced by the sound reproduction means, is muted during the time that said message is being played.
7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that said message is of an advertising or promotional nature.
8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the operator control is an on-off switch, characterized in that said message is caused to play once or a predetermined number of times whenever the control is operated to switch the apparatus on.
9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the operator control is an on-off switch, characterized in that said message is caused to play once or a predetermined number of times whenever the control is operated to switch the apparatus off.
1 0. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the operator control is an on-off switch, characterized in that, for as long as the apparatus is in the switched on condition, said message is caused to play at predetermined intervals of time.
1 1 . Electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means and an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
1 2. A method of operating electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means and an operator control whereby an operator of the apparatus can control a conventional function of the apparatus, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
PCT/ZA2000/000210 1999-11-15 2000-11-08 Electronic apparatus including sound reproduction means that plays a prerecorded message when the on-off switch is operated WO2001037466A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU18227/01A AU1822701A (en) 1999-11-15 2000-11-08 Electronic apparatus of the kind including sound reproduction means

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA99/7116 1999-11-15
ZA997116 1999-11-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001037466A2 true WO2001037466A2 (en) 2001-05-25
WO2001037466A3 WO2001037466A3 (en) 2001-12-20

Family

ID=25587991

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2000/000210 WO2001037466A2 (en) 1999-11-15 2000-11-08 Electronic apparatus including sound reproduction means that plays a prerecorded message when the on-off switch is operated

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1822701A (en)
WO (1) WO2001037466A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10438755B1 (en) 2018-10-03 2019-10-08 David S. Schultz, Sr. Switch with accidental shut off alarm

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5671195A (en) * 1996-05-31 1997-09-23 Intellectual Science And Technology Inc. Audio system programmable for recording preselected audio broadcasts
US5914826A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-06-22 Logic Laboratories, Inc. Light switch cover plate with audio recording and playback feature

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH09163251A (en) * 1995-12-11 1997-06-20 Sony Corp Television receiver provided with message function

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5671195A (en) * 1996-05-31 1997-09-23 Intellectual Science And Technology Inc. Audio system programmable for recording preselected audio broadcasts
US5914826A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-06-22 Logic Laboratories, Inc. Light switch cover plate with audio recording and playback feature

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10438755B1 (en) 2018-10-03 2019-10-08 David S. Schultz, Sr. Switch with accidental shut off alarm

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1822701A (en) 2001-05-30
WO2001037466A3 (en) 2001-12-20

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