CA1076209A - Combination microphone, speaker, and control unit for a radio transceiver - Google Patents
Combination microphone, speaker, and control unit for a radio transceiverInfo
- Publication number
- CA1076209A CA1076209A CA258,235A CA258235A CA1076209A CA 1076209 A CA1076209 A CA 1076209A CA 258235 A CA258235 A CA 258235A CA 1076209 A CA1076209 A CA 1076209A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- cable
- transceiver
- control unit
- transducer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
COMBINATION MICROPHONE, SPEAKER, AND
CONTROL UNIT FOR A RADIO TRANSCEIVER
Abstract of the Disclosure A combination microphone, loudspeaker, and control unit is disclosed which is adapted to be coupled by a multi-conductor cable to a radio transceiver which is capable of transmitting and receiving a plurality of radio signals at pre-selected frequencies. A multi-conductor cable is secured to a housing for the unit and is adapted to electrically connect the unit to a radio transceiver. A multi-position switch is mounted in the housing and connected to the cable, with the switch being operable to select individually the preselected frequencies. An electromechanical transducer is mounted in the housing and connected to the cable and operable to convert audible sound wave signals into corresponding audio frequency electrical signals and audio frequency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A transmit/receive switch is mounted on the housing and coupled to the cable and the transducer for selectively enabling the transducer to con-vert audible sound wave signals into corresponding audio fre-quency electrical signals and audio frequency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A volume control is mounted on the housing and coupled to the cable and the trans-ducer for varying the amplitude of the audio frequency elec-trical signals applied to the transducer.
CONTROL UNIT FOR A RADIO TRANSCEIVER
Abstract of the Disclosure A combination microphone, loudspeaker, and control unit is disclosed which is adapted to be coupled by a multi-conductor cable to a radio transceiver which is capable of transmitting and receiving a plurality of radio signals at pre-selected frequencies. A multi-conductor cable is secured to a housing for the unit and is adapted to electrically connect the unit to a radio transceiver. A multi-position switch is mounted in the housing and connected to the cable, with the switch being operable to select individually the preselected frequencies. An electromechanical transducer is mounted in the housing and connected to the cable and operable to convert audible sound wave signals into corresponding audio frequency electrical signals and audio frequency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A transmit/receive switch is mounted on the housing and coupled to the cable and the transducer for selectively enabling the transducer to con-vert audible sound wave signals into corresponding audio fre-quency electrical signals and audio frequency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A volume control is mounted on the housing and coupled to the cable and the trans-ducer for varying the amplitude of the audio frequency elec-trical signals applied to the transducer.
Description
~7~
Background o:f the Invention ,.
The present invention generally relates to radio transceivers and, more particularly, to a combination micro-phone and control unit for a mobile citizens' band transceiver.
Some conventional radio receivers are provided with a microphone and the circuitry necessary to transmit or broad-cast a radio signal modulated with audio frequency information ~e.g., speech). Such radios are often referred to as "Citizens' Band", "CB", or "two-way" radios or, more generically, "trans-ceivers".
Transceivers are often designed to operate with theelectrical system of conventional automobiles and other vehicles, which is typically a 12-volt DC sys~em. Transceivers so de-signed are often referred to as "mobile transceivers" and they provide substantial convenience to the driver of the vehicle in which they are installed because they enable the driver, while driving, to communicate with a person having a transceiver either at a stationary location or in another vehicle.
MobiLe transceivers are not usually provided in new vehicles; that is, ~hey ge~erally are not available as factory-installed accessories, instead, they are added to the vehicle by its owner after he has purchased it. In addi~ion, because of space limitations, mobile transceivers are commonly moun~ed under the vehicle's dashboard and away from the steering wheel column, ~here space is a little more plentiful and the trans-ceiver cabinet will not interfere with the driver's operations o~ steering, braking, accelerating or other control of the car.
,, ( .
.
: -2- ~ : ~
6Z~
Such a location permits ~he driver to hear received radio mes~
sages but 9 for messages he wishes to transmit, a microphone is attached to the transceiver by an electrical cord or cable of suitable length. The driver may thus steer the vehicle with one hand and hold the microphone close to his mouth with the other so that he can transmit messages. A switch is often pro-vided on the housing for the microphone so that the driver may switch between receiving and transmitting.
While the above-described mobile transceivers have been in useful existence ~or many years, they have some dis-advantages. One disadvantage arises from the fact that in ad-dition to the transmission/reception switch, mobile transceivers generally have separate con~rols for volume, squelch, channel selection and someti~es other functions. Because most of these controls are almost always located on the front of the transceiver cabinet, it can be di~icult for the driver to reach and adjust these controls while driving, depending upon where he is able to mount the transceiver. Another disad-vantage is that the transceiver cabinet with its associated control knobs sometimes is mounted in the car in a manner which presents a potentiall~ dangerous protruding object which could cause injury during an accident.
. , .
! It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved radio transceiver.
It is another object of the inve~tion to provide such ~a transceiver which is more convenient to operate.
, . ' ,' " '.
.
~ ~ 7 ~
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a transceiver which is suitable for use by the driver of a moving vehicle yet is safer and more convenient to use than conventional mobile transceivers.
Summary of the Invention A combination microphone, loudspeaker, and control unit constructed in accordance with the invention and adapted to be coupled by a multi-conductor cable to a radio trans-ceiver which is capable of transmitting and receiving a plurality of radio signals at preselected frequencies includes a housing or the unit and a multi-conductor cable secured to the housing and adapted to electrically connect the unit to a radio trans-ceîver. A multi-position switch means is mounted in the housing , and connected to the cable~ with the switch being operable to select individually the preselected requencies. An electro- -mechanical trancducer is mounted in the housing and connected to the cable and operable to convert audible sound wave signals into corresponding audio requency electrical signals and audio frequency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A transmit/receive switch means is mounted on the housing and coupled to the cable and the transducer for selectively enabling the transducer to convert audible sound wave slgnals into corresponding audio frequency electrical sig-nals and audio requency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A volume control means is mounted on the housing ând coupled to the cable and the transducer for varying the amplitude of the audio frequency electrical signals ; applied to the transdueer.
' ~ ~ 7 Brief Descri~tion o~ the Drawin~
The features of the present invention which are be-lieved to be novel are set forth wi~h particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advanta~es thereof~ may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a combination microphone and control unit constructed in accordance with the principles o the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the embodi-ment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view, partially cut away, of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.
l; and FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of a mobile transceiver which incorporates a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Description of the Preferred ~mbodiment With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a combina-tion microphone, speaker, and control unitl which is cons~ructed .
~ in accordance with the principles of the present invention and ~ ~ -w~ich is adapte~ to be coupled to the receiver and transmitter circuitry on the transceiver chassis ~see FIG. 5) by means of .' :
~ ~ 7 ~ Z ~ ~
a partially-shown multi-conductor cord or electrical cable 2.
Unit 1 is generally contained within a housing la. The parti-cular radio circuitry of the transceiver forms no portion of the present invention and may be of any conventional construc-tion.
Behind a grille 15a is mounted an electromechanical transducer in the form o~ a combination speaker and microphone 15 (see FIÇ. 3) which is mount~d in housing la connected ~o the transceiver circuitry by means of cable 2. Microphone/
speaker 15 is operable to convert audible sound wave signals ; into corresponding audio frequency electrical signals and audio fre~uency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound ; wave signals. A transmit/receive control 4 is provided to enable the operator to use microphone/speaker 15 both as a mlcrophone, to convert audible sound wave signals into cor-responding audio frequency electrical signals, and a speaker, to convert audio frequency electrical signals into audible sound wave signals, as desired. An impedance-matching trans-former 16 is connected to microphone/speaker 15 and is employed to facilitate the dual ~unctions of microphone/speaker 15.
Control 4 is mechanically connected to an electrical transmit/
receive swi~ch 3 (see FIG. 3) which may be of the spring-loaded push-button or momentary contact type so that, when control 4 i~ released, switch 3 is urged to the normal or "receive" po-sition and microphone/speaker 15 performs as a speaker to audibly reproduce the message being received by the transceiver.
A hanger 17 is provided at the rear of Unit 1 as shown to pro-vide means for supporting the unit when it is not in use.
~. :
~ -6-.
~07~2~9 When control 4 is depressed (i.e., moved to the right in Fig. 1), switch 3 is placed in the "transmit" position and microphone/speaker 15 performs as a microphone to convert the operator's audio message into an electrical signal for trans-mission by the transceiver to another radio receiver (not shown). Under a lamp cover 6 at the top of unit 1, an indica tor lam~ 5 ~see FIG. 3) is provided and connected to switch 3 so that lamp 5 is illuminated whenever control 4 is in the depressed or "transmit" position. Lamp 5 may also be connected 10 to the transmitter circuitry such that, during transmission, its brightness varies systematically in accordance with the level of modulation.
As better shown in Figure 4, a combination on/off switch and voLume control 8 and a squelch control 10 are pro-vided at the rear of unit housing la near its top for con-venient operation by the operator's thumb and forefinger~
respectively. The outer edges of controls 8 and 10 are pre-ferably knurled as shown to facilitate manipulation thereof.
Control 8 is coupled to cable 2 and microphone/speaker 15 for varying the amplitude of the audio frequency electrical signals applied to microphone/speaker 15 to control the volume of audible sound wave signals emitted thereby. Squelch con-trol 10 i.s mounted on housing la and i.s coupled to cable 2 to provide a convenient way of adjusting the signal level at which the transceiver reproduces audible sound wave signals. Squelch control 10 has a variable electrical characteristic such as resistance which may be used for this purpose by the transceiver circuitry as is well known in the radio art.
~1~76Z~
Returning to FIG. l, a rotary dial or channel selector knob 13 is attached to a multi-position swi-tch 11 to permit individual selection of the preselected frequencies. A channel indicator board portion or plate 12 carries ligh~ transmissive indicia 12b respectively associated with the preselected fre-quencies, with indicia 12b being surrounded by a portion 12c of dial plate 12 which is made substantially the ~ame color as housing la so that indicia 12b are subs~antially invisible except when illuminated as discussed hereinaf~er in greater de-tail, The peripheral portion of plate 12 is knurled at 12aand extends substantially to the ou~er edge of housing la to facilitate one-hand operation. In the illustrated embodiment of the inven~ion, indicia for 23 channels are shown because many present-day transceivers are designed to operate on the 23 channeLs presently assigned by the Federal Communications Commission for Citizens' Band use, the frequencies thereof ranging from 26,96 Mhz to 27.26 Mhz; however, any desired number of channels may be used, Channel indication is achieved by providing lamp means in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) 14 mounted on housing la adJacent to ~he indicia carrying portion of dial plate 12 and coupled to cable 2, When the transceiver is opera-tive, by being turned on by control 8, for example, LED 14 is energized to illuminate one of the indicia on dial plate 12 adjacent to LED 14, as generally indicated at N.
With r'espect to FIG~ 5, there is shown a schematic circuit diagram of a mobile transceiver which incorporates a : ' ''~ '' :
1 Q1762~
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodimen~
of the inven~ion illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a radio trans-ceiver inaluding a chassis 50 receiver circuitry mounted on the chassis for receiving a plurali~y of radio frequency sig-nals at preselected frequencies and converting them into output audio frequency electrical signals. The receiver circuitry in-cludes an antenna 51, "front end" circuitry 52 which includes the appropriate RF amplifiers, local oscillators, and mixer circuits, IF circuitry 53, detector circuitry 54, and audio amplifying circuitry 55. Suitable transmitter circuitry 56 is also mounted on the chassis for converting input audio frequency electrical signals into transmitted radio signals at any one of the preselected ~requencies. The output o~ transmitter cîrcuitry 56 is applied to antenna 51 ~or transmission to another radio. All of the above-described circuitry may be conven-tional well-known circuitry and is therefore not described in greater detail.
In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5~ the circuitry for a combination micro-phone, speaker, and control unit 1 is provided in housing laand is connected to the receiver and transmit~er circuitry by means of multi-conductor cable 2. Cable 2 may of course be of any desired length and may also have sui~able plugs and jacks incorporated therein for permitting the combination unit to be easily connected and disconnected from the radio trans-ceiver chassis 50. Multi posikion switch means in the form of a three-wafer switch in the embodiment of the invention il~
..
_g_ ~
.
. .
~762~9 lustrated in FIG. 5 is mounted in housing la and connected to cable 2 to permit thP operator to select individually the pre-selected frequencies. This embodiment of the invention contem-plates a frequency-synthesized system for selecting the 23 frequencies of a citizen's band receiver; hence, swi~ch 11 re-quires only 10 conductors in cable 2 to connect i~ with the frequency-selecting circuitry of the tran~ceiver. Various frequency synthesizing techniques are well known in the radio art which may of course be used without departing from the principles of the present invention.
Transmitlreceive switch 3, which is operated by con- ~-trol 4 (see FIG. 1), is mounted on housing la and is coupled between microphone/speaker 15 and the receiver and transmitter circuitry by cable 2 for enabling microphone/speaker 15 se-lectively to convert audible sound wave signals into corresponding input audio frequency elertrical signals, which are applied to transmitter circuitry 56, and output audio frequency electrical signals, from audio amplifier 55~ into corresponding audible sound wave signals. Combination on/off swi~ch and volume con-trol 8 is mounted on housing la and coupled between microphone/
speaker 1$ and audlo ampli~ier 55 for varying ~he amplitude of the output audio frequency electrical signals applied to micro-phone/speaker 15 from audio amplifier 55. The power supply V
for the transceiver is coupled to the on/off switch portion of control 8 to enable turning the transceiver on and off from ~he combination unit.
- ;
When the transceiver is ~urned on, an indicator light 14, which is shown in FIG. 5 in the form ofa light-emitting diode (LED), is energized to indicate both that the transceiver is turned on, as discussed above, and to indicate to which channel the receiver is tuned. A LED provides suffi-cient light while requiring a minimum amount of electricity but indicator light 14 may of course take the form of other :
lights such as conventional incandescent lamps. Relays Rl and .
R2 may be employed as shown to couple the outpu~ of audio amplifier 55 to microphone/speaker 15, when the unit is in the receive mode, and apply power from the automobile's battery, for example, to the unit, respectively. As discussed above, all the lines may be incorporated into one multi-conductor cable 2, with the conductors that carry the audio frequeney electrical signals being shielded cable to minimize interference rom ambient signals.
With all of the transceiver controls mounted on a hand-held unit in the manner shown in the drawingg the operator can manipulate these controls to make the desired adjustments quite convenien~ly. This construction also provicles greater safety because it elimina~es the need fsr the driver to reach over to the main.chassis of the mobile transceiver, which could distract his attention from his driving and/or interfere with his vision. Another advantage of this construction, with re- :
spect to both safety and appearance, is that the main chassis of the transceiver can be lo~.ated out of sight under the dash-board or the like. This eliminates the possibility of the .`:
.
.
, ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ g chassis protruding such that, during an accident such as a col-lision, it could cause injury to an occupant of the vehicle who might be propelled towards it. Mounting the transceiver chassis in a remote location (such as behind the dashboard or in the trunk) not only improves the aesthetic aspects of the installa-tion but also reduces the possibility of theft of the unit be-cause it is both out of sight and may be more permanently secured to the automobile. Although the microphone/control unit of the present invention has been shown and described principally with respect to a mobile transceiver, it is of course understood that the advantages provided by the invention may be used in non-mobile transceivers, sometimes referred to as "base stations".
It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the present invention, in its various aspects, wiLl be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, and others being merely matters of routine de-sign. As such, the scope of the invention should not be lîmited by the particular embodiment and specific construction herein described, but should be defined only by the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims ' ..
, . . . . , - , . . . . ,:
Background o:f the Invention ,.
The present invention generally relates to radio transceivers and, more particularly, to a combination micro-phone and control unit for a mobile citizens' band transceiver.
Some conventional radio receivers are provided with a microphone and the circuitry necessary to transmit or broad-cast a radio signal modulated with audio frequency information ~e.g., speech). Such radios are often referred to as "Citizens' Band", "CB", or "two-way" radios or, more generically, "trans-ceivers".
Transceivers are often designed to operate with theelectrical system of conventional automobiles and other vehicles, which is typically a 12-volt DC sys~em. Transceivers so de-signed are often referred to as "mobile transceivers" and they provide substantial convenience to the driver of the vehicle in which they are installed because they enable the driver, while driving, to communicate with a person having a transceiver either at a stationary location or in another vehicle.
MobiLe transceivers are not usually provided in new vehicles; that is, ~hey ge~erally are not available as factory-installed accessories, instead, they are added to the vehicle by its owner after he has purchased it. In addi~ion, because of space limitations, mobile transceivers are commonly moun~ed under the vehicle's dashboard and away from the steering wheel column, ~here space is a little more plentiful and the trans-ceiver cabinet will not interfere with the driver's operations o~ steering, braking, accelerating or other control of the car.
,, ( .
.
: -2- ~ : ~
6Z~
Such a location permits ~he driver to hear received radio mes~
sages but 9 for messages he wishes to transmit, a microphone is attached to the transceiver by an electrical cord or cable of suitable length. The driver may thus steer the vehicle with one hand and hold the microphone close to his mouth with the other so that he can transmit messages. A switch is often pro-vided on the housing for the microphone so that the driver may switch between receiving and transmitting.
While the above-described mobile transceivers have been in useful existence ~or many years, they have some dis-advantages. One disadvantage arises from the fact that in ad-dition to the transmission/reception switch, mobile transceivers generally have separate con~rols for volume, squelch, channel selection and someti~es other functions. Because most of these controls are almost always located on the front of the transceiver cabinet, it can be di~icult for the driver to reach and adjust these controls while driving, depending upon where he is able to mount the transceiver. Another disad-vantage is that the transceiver cabinet with its associated control knobs sometimes is mounted in the car in a manner which presents a potentiall~ dangerous protruding object which could cause injury during an accident.
. , .
! It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved radio transceiver.
It is another object of the inve~tion to provide such ~a transceiver which is more convenient to operate.
, . ' ,' " '.
.
~ ~ 7 ~
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a transceiver which is suitable for use by the driver of a moving vehicle yet is safer and more convenient to use than conventional mobile transceivers.
Summary of the Invention A combination microphone, loudspeaker, and control unit constructed in accordance with the invention and adapted to be coupled by a multi-conductor cable to a radio trans-ceiver which is capable of transmitting and receiving a plurality of radio signals at preselected frequencies includes a housing or the unit and a multi-conductor cable secured to the housing and adapted to electrically connect the unit to a radio trans-ceîver. A multi-position switch means is mounted in the housing , and connected to the cable~ with the switch being operable to select individually the preselected requencies. An electro- -mechanical trancducer is mounted in the housing and connected to the cable and operable to convert audible sound wave signals into corresponding audio requency electrical signals and audio frequency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A transmit/receive switch means is mounted on the housing and coupled to the cable and the transducer for selectively enabling the transducer to convert audible sound wave slgnals into corresponding audio frequency electrical sig-nals and audio requency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound wave signals. A volume control means is mounted on the housing ând coupled to the cable and the transducer for varying the amplitude of the audio frequency electrical signals ; applied to the transdueer.
' ~ ~ 7 Brief Descri~tion o~ the Drawin~
The features of the present invention which are be-lieved to be novel are set forth wi~h particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advanta~es thereof~ may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a combination microphone and control unit constructed in accordance with the principles o the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the embodi-ment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view, partially cut away, of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.
l; and FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of a mobile transceiver which incorporates a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Description of the Preferred ~mbodiment With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a combina-tion microphone, speaker, and control unitl which is cons~ructed .
~ in accordance with the principles of the present invention and ~ ~ -w~ich is adapte~ to be coupled to the receiver and transmitter circuitry on the transceiver chassis ~see FIG. 5) by means of .' :
~ ~ 7 ~ Z ~ ~
a partially-shown multi-conductor cord or electrical cable 2.
Unit 1 is generally contained within a housing la. The parti-cular radio circuitry of the transceiver forms no portion of the present invention and may be of any conventional construc-tion.
Behind a grille 15a is mounted an electromechanical transducer in the form o~ a combination speaker and microphone 15 (see FIÇ. 3) which is mount~d in housing la connected ~o the transceiver circuitry by means of cable 2. Microphone/
speaker 15 is operable to convert audible sound wave signals ; into corresponding audio frequency electrical signals and audio fre~uency electrical signals into corresponding audible sound ; wave signals. A transmit/receive control 4 is provided to enable the operator to use microphone/speaker 15 both as a mlcrophone, to convert audible sound wave signals into cor-responding audio frequency electrical signals, and a speaker, to convert audio frequency electrical signals into audible sound wave signals, as desired. An impedance-matching trans-former 16 is connected to microphone/speaker 15 and is employed to facilitate the dual ~unctions of microphone/speaker 15.
Control 4 is mechanically connected to an electrical transmit/
receive swi~ch 3 (see FIG. 3) which may be of the spring-loaded push-button or momentary contact type so that, when control 4 i~ released, switch 3 is urged to the normal or "receive" po-sition and microphone/speaker 15 performs as a speaker to audibly reproduce the message being received by the transceiver.
A hanger 17 is provided at the rear of Unit 1 as shown to pro-vide means for supporting the unit when it is not in use.
~. :
~ -6-.
~07~2~9 When control 4 is depressed (i.e., moved to the right in Fig. 1), switch 3 is placed in the "transmit" position and microphone/speaker 15 performs as a microphone to convert the operator's audio message into an electrical signal for trans-mission by the transceiver to another radio receiver (not shown). Under a lamp cover 6 at the top of unit 1, an indica tor lam~ 5 ~see FIG. 3) is provided and connected to switch 3 so that lamp 5 is illuminated whenever control 4 is in the depressed or "transmit" position. Lamp 5 may also be connected 10 to the transmitter circuitry such that, during transmission, its brightness varies systematically in accordance with the level of modulation.
As better shown in Figure 4, a combination on/off switch and voLume control 8 and a squelch control 10 are pro-vided at the rear of unit housing la near its top for con-venient operation by the operator's thumb and forefinger~
respectively. The outer edges of controls 8 and 10 are pre-ferably knurled as shown to facilitate manipulation thereof.
Control 8 is coupled to cable 2 and microphone/speaker 15 for varying the amplitude of the audio frequency electrical signals applied to microphone/speaker 15 to control the volume of audible sound wave signals emitted thereby. Squelch con-trol 10 i.s mounted on housing la and i.s coupled to cable 2 to provide a convenient way of adjusting the signal level at which the transceiver reproduces audible sound wave signals. Squelch control 10 has a variable electrical characteristic such as resistance which may be used for this purpose by the transceiver circuitry as is well known in the radio art.
~1~76Z~
Returning to FIG. l, a rotary dial or channel selector knob 13 is attached to a multi-position swi-tch 11 to permit individual selection of the preselected frequencies. A channel indicator board portion or plate 12 carries ligh~ transmissive indicia 12b respectively associated with the preselected fre-quencies, with indicia 12b being surrounded by a portion 12c of dial plate 12 which is made substantially the ~ame color as housing la so that indicia 12b are subs~antially invisible except when illuminated as discussed hereinaf~er in greater de-tail, The peripheral portion of plate 12 is knurled at 12aand extends substantially to the ou~er edge of housing la to facilitate one-hand operation. In the illustrated embodiment of the inven~ion, indicia for 23 channels are shown because many present-day transceivers are designed to operate on the 23 channeLs presently assigned by the Federal Communications Commission for Citizens' Band use, the frequencies thereof ranging from 26,96 Mhz to 27.26 Mhz; however, any desired number of channels may be used, Channel indication is achieved by providing lamp means in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) 14 mounted on housing la adJacent to ~he indicia carrying portion of dial plate 12 and coupled to cable 2, When the transceiver is opera-tive, by being turned on by control 8, for example, LED 14 is energized to illuminate one of the indicia on dial plate 12 adjacent to LED 14, as generally indicated at N.
With r'espect to FIG~ 5, there is shown a schematic circuit diagram of a mobile transceiver which incorporates a : ' ''~ '' :
1 Q1762~
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodimen~
of the inven~ion illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a radio trans-ceiver inaluding a chassis 50 receiver circuitry mounted on the chassis for receiving a plurali~y of radio frequency sig-nals at preselected frequencies and converting them into output audio frequency electrical signals. The receiver circuitry in-cludes an antenna 51, "front end" circuitry 52 which includes the appropriate RF amplifiers, local oscillators, and mixer circuits, IF circuitry 53, detector circuitry 54, and audio amplifying circuitry 55. Suitable transmitter circuitry 56 is also mounted on the chassis for converting input audio frequency electrical signals into transmitted radio signals at any one of the preselected ~requencies. The output o~ transmitter cîrcuitry 56 is applied to antenna 51 ~or transmission to another radio. All of the above-described circuitry may be conven-tional well-known circuitry and is therefore not described in greater detail.
In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5~ the circuitry for a combination micro-phone, speaker, and control unit 1 is provided in housing laand is connected to the receiver and transmit~er circuitry by means of multi-conductor cable 2. Cable 2 may of course be of any desired length and may also have sui~able plugs and jacks incorporated therein for permitting the combination unit to be easily connected and disconnected from the radio trans-ceiver chassis 50. Multi posikion switch means in the form of a three-wafer switch in the embodiment of the invention il~
..
_g_ ~
.
. .
~762~9 lustrated in FIG. 5 is mounted in housing la and connected to cable 2 to permit thP operator to select individually the pre-selected frequencies. This embodiment of the invention contem-plates a frequency-synthesized system for selecting the 23 frequencies of a citizen's band receiver; hence, swi~ch 11 re-quires only 10 conductors in cable 2 to connect i~ with the frequency-selecting circuitry of the tran~ceiver. Various frequency synthesizing techniques are well known in the radio art which may of course be used without departing from the principles of the present invention.
Transmitlreceive switch 3, which is operated by con- ~-trol 4 (see FIG. 1), is mounted on housing la and is coupled between microphone/speaker 15 and the receiver and transmitter circuitry by cable 2 for enabling microphone/speaker 15 se-lectively to convert audible sound wave signals into corresponding input audio frequency elertrical signals, which are applied to transmitter circuitry 56, and output audio frequency electrical signals, from audio amplifier 55~ into corresponding audible sound wave signals. Combination on/off swi~ch and volume con-trol 8 is mounted on housing la and coupled between microphone/
speaker 1$ and audlo ampli~ier 55 for varying ~he amplitude of the output audio frequency electrical signals applied to micro-phone/speaker 15 from audio amplifier 55. The power supply V
for the transceiver is coupled to the on/off switch portion of control 8 to enable turning the transceiver on and off from ~he combination unit.
- ;
When the transceiver is ~urned on, an indicator light 14, which is shown in FIG. 5 in the form ofa light-emitting diode (LED), is energized to indicate both that the transceiver is turned on, as discussed above, and to indicate to which channel the receiver is tuned. A LED provides suffi-cient light while requiring a minimum amount of electricity but indicator light 14 may of course take the form of other :
lights such as conventional incandescent lamps. Relays Rl and .
R2 may be employed as shown to couple the outpu~ of audio amplifier 55 to microphone/speaker 15, when the unit is in the receive mode, and apply power from the automobile's battery, for example, to the unit, respectively. As discussed above, all the lines may be incorporated into one multi-conductor cable 2, with the conductors that carry the audio frequeney electrical signals being shielded cable to minimize interference rom ambient signals.
With all of the transceiver controls mounted on a hand-held unit in the manner shown in the drawingg the operator can manipulate these controls to make the desired adjustments quite convenien~ly. This construction also provicles greater safety because it elimina~es the need fsr the driver to reach over to the main.chassis of the mobile transceiver, which could distract his attention from his driving and/or interfere with his vision. Another advantage of this construction, with re- :
spect to both safety and appearance, is that the main chassis of the transceiver can be lo~.ated out of sight under the dash-board or the like. This eliminates the possibility of the .`:
.
.
, ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ g chassis protruding such that, during an accident such as a col-lision, it could cause injury to an occupant of the vehicle who might be propelled towards it. Mounting the transceiver chassis in a remote location (such as behind the dashboard or in the trunk) not only improves the aesthetic aspects of the installa-tion but also reduces the possibility of theft of the unit be-cause it is both out of sight and may be more permanently secured to the automobile. Although the microphone/control unit of the present invention has been shown and described principally with respect to a mobile transceiver, it is of course understood that the advantages provided by the invention may be used in non-mobile transceivers, sometimes referred to as "base stations".
It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the present invention, in its various aspects, wiLl be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, and others being merely matters of routine de-sign. As such, the scope of the invention should not be lîmited by the particular embodiment and specific construction herein described, but should be defined only by the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims ' ..
, . . . . , - , . . . . ,:
Claims (15)
1. A combination transducer and control unit adapted to be coupled by a multi-conductor cable to a separate radio transceiver chassis which is capable of transmitting and re-ceiving a plurality of radio signals at preselected frequen-cies, comprising: a housing of a size which is conveniently held by one hand; a multi-conductor cable secured to said housing and adapted to electrically connect said combination unit to said radio transceiver chassis; multi-position switch means mounted in said housing and connected to said cable, said switch means being operable to select individually said preselected frequencies; illuminated channel indicating means mounted on said housing and responsive to said switch means for indicating the frequency to which said transceiver is turned; an electromechanical transducer mounted in said hous-ing and connected to said cable; transmit/receive switch means mounted on said housing and coupled to said cable and said transducer for selectively enabling said transceiver to trans-mit or receive said radio signals; and volume control means mounted on said housing and coupled to said cable and said transceiver for varying the amplitude of the audio frequency electrical signals produced by said transceiver; said frequen-cy-selecting switch means, transmit/receive switch means, and volume control means each being located on said housing so as to be operable by the finger of the same hand of the operator which is holding the unit.
2. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises squelch control means mounted on said housing and coupled to said cable, said squelch control means having a variable electrical characteristic and being operable to apply said characteristic by means of said cable to said radio transceiver to adjust the squelch level of said transceiver, said squelch control means further being located on said housing so as to be conveniently operable by the fin-gers of the same hand of the operator which is holding the unit.
3. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 1, which further includes a rotary dial attached to said multi-position switch, said dial carying light transmissive indicia respectively associated with said preselected frequen-cies, with said indicia being surrounded by a portion of said dial which is substantially the same color as said housing;
said combination unit further comprising lamp means mounted on said housing adjacent to the indicia carrying a portion of said dial and coupled to said cable, said lamp means adap-ted to be energized when said radio transceiver is operative to illuminate one of the indicia on said dial adjacent to said lamp means, whereby said indicia are substantially in-visible except when selectively rotated to the position adja-cent the lamp to thus indicate the channel to which the trans-ceiver is tuned.
said combination unit further comprising lamp means mounted on said housing adjacent to the indicia carrying a portion of said dial and coupled to said cable, said lamp means adap-ted to be energized when said radio transceiver is operative to illuminate one of the indicia on said dial adjacent to said lamp means, whereby said indicia are substantially in-visible except when selectively rotated to the position adja-cent the lamp to thus indicate the channel to which the trans-ceiver is tuned.
4. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 3, in which said lamp means comprises a light-emitting diode, whereby indication of both the operative condition of the transceiver and the frequency to which the transceiver is tuned may be achieved while conserving electrical energy.
5. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 3, in which said dial has a peripheral portion which is knurled and extends substantially to the outer edge of said housing, whereby one-hand rotation of the dial by the operator while he is holding the unit in his hand is facilitated.
6. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises an impedance matching transformer, connected between said transducer and said cable, and coupled to said transmit/receive switch means for enhancing the con-version characteristics of said transducer.
7. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 1, in which said volume control means further includes on/off switch means connected to said cable, whereby the operator may use the control unit to turn the transceiver on and off.
8. A control unit in accordance with claim 1, in which said transducer operates as a microphone and a loudspeaker.
9. A radio transceiver comprising: a chassis; receiver circuitry mounted on said chassis for receiving a plurality of radio frequency signals at preselected frequencies and conver-ting them into output audio frequency electrical signals;
transmitter circuitry mounted on said chassis for converting input audio frequency electrical signals into transmitted radio signals at any one of said preselected frequencies; a separate combination transducer and control unit housing of a size which is conveniently held by one hand; a multi-conductor cable se-cured to said housing and said chassis for electrically connec-ting said combination unit to said receiver and transmitter circuitry; multi-position switch means mounted in said hous-ing and connected to said cable, said switch means being operable to select individually said preselected frequencies;
illuminated channel indicating means mounted on said housing and responsive to said switch means for indicating the frequen-cy to which said transducer is tuned; an electromechanical transducer mounted in said housing and connected to said receiver and transmitting circuitry by said cable and operable to convert said output audio frequency electrical signals into coresponding audible sound wave signals and audible sound wave signals into corresponding input audio frequency electrical signals; transmit/receive switch means mounted on said hous-ing and coupled between said transducer and said receiver and transmitter circuitry by said cable for selectively enabling said transducer to convert audible sound wave signals into said corresponding input audio frequency electrical signals and said output audio frequency electrical signals into cor-responding audible sound wave signals; and, volume control means mounted on said housing and coupled between said trans-ducer and said receiver and transmitter circuitry for varying the amplitude of the output audio frequency electrical signals applied to said transducer; said frequency-selecting switch means, transmit/receive switch means, and volume control means each being located on said housing so as to be operable by the finger of the same hand of the operator which is holding the unit.
transmitter circuitry mounted on said chassis for converting input audio frequency electrical signals into transmitted radio signals at any one of said preselected frequencies; a separate combination transducer and control unit housing of a size which is conveniently held by one hand; a multi-conductor cable se-cured to said housing and said chassis for electrically connec-ting said combination unit to said receiver and transmitter circuitry; multi-position switch means mounted in said hous-ing and connected to said cable, said switch means being operable to select individually said preselected frequencies;
illuminated channel indicating means mounted on said housing and responsive to said switch means for indicating the frequen-cy to which said transducer is tuned; an electromechanical transducer mounted in said housing and connected to said receiver and transmitting circuitry by said cable and operable to convert said output audio frequency electrical signals into coresponding audible sound wave signals and audible sound wave signals into corresponding input audio frequency electrical signals; transmit/receive switch means mounted on said hous-ing and coupled between said transducer and said receiver and transmitter circuitry by said cable for selectively enabling said transducer to convert audible sound wave signals into said corresponding input audio frequency electrical signals and said output audio frequency electrical signals into cor-responding audible sound wave signals; and, volume control means mounted on said housing and coupled between said trans-ducer and said receiver and transmitter circuitry for varying the amplitude of the output audio frequency electrical signals applied to said transducer; said frequency-selecting switch means, transmit/receive switch means, and volume control means each being located on said housing so as to be operable by the finger of the same hand of the operator which is holding the unit.
10. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 9, which further comprises squelch control means mounted on said housing and coupled to said cable, said squelch control means having a variable electrical characteristic and being operable to apply said characteristic by means of said cable to said radio transceiver to adjust the squelch level of said transceiver, said squelch control means further being located on said housing so as to be conveniently operable by the fingers of the same hand of the operator which is holding the unit.
11. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 9, which further includes a rotary dial attached to said multi-position switch, said dial carying light transmissive indicia respectively associated with said preselected frequencies, with said indicia being surrounded by a portion of said dial which is substantially the same color as said housing; said combination unit further comprising lamp means mounted on said housing adjacent to the indicia carrying a portion of said dial and coupled to said cable, said lamp means adapted to be energized when said radio transceiver is operative to illumi-nate one of the indicia on said dial adjacent to said lamp means, whereby said indicia are substantially invisible except when selectively rotated to the position adjacent the lamp to thus indicate the channel to which the transceiver is tuned.
12. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 11, in which said lamp means comprises a light-emitting diode, whereby indication of both the operative condition of the transceiver and the frequency to which the transceiver is tuned may be achieved while conserving electrical energy.
13. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 11, in which said dial has a peripheral portion which is knurled and extends substantially to the outer edge of said housing, whereby one-hand rotation of the dial by the operator while he is holding the unit in his hand is facili-tated.
14. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 9, which further comprises an impedance matching transformer, connected between said transducer and said cable, and coupled to said transmit/receive switch means for enhancing the conver-sion characteristics of said transducer.
15. A combination control unit in accordance with claim 9, in which said volume control means further includes on/off switch means connected to said cable, whereby the operator may use the control unit to turn the transceiver on and off.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA258,235A CA1076209A (en) | 1976-07-30 | 1976-07-30 | Combination microphone, speaker, and control unit for a radio transceiver |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA258,235A CA1076209A (en) | 1976-07-30 | 1976-07-30 | Combination microphone, speaker, and control unit for a radio transceiver |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1076209A true CA1076209A (en) | 1980-04-22 |
Family
ID=4106553
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA258,235A Expired CA1076209A (en) | 1976-07-30 | 1976-07-30 | Combination microphone, speaker, and control unit for a radio transceiver |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1076209A (en) |
-
1976
- 1976-07-30 CA CA258,235A patent/CA1076209A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4032844A (en) | Combination microphone, speaker, and control unit for a radio transceiver | |
| US5319716A (en) | Wireless CD/automobile radio adapter | |
| US6163711A (en) | Method and apparatus for interfacing a mobile phone with an existing audio system | |
| US5628056A (en) | Apparatus for converting TV audio signals for reception on a nearby AM and/or FM receiver | |
| US5867794A (en) | Audio-output for a portable radio telephone utilizing a vehicle's AM/FM radio | |
| US5943627A (en) | Mobile cellular phone | |
| US4199721A (en) | Hand-held microphone for transceiver | |
| WO2000008878A1 (en) | Audio system incorporating detachable cellular telephone | |
| US6731761B1 (en) | Wireless remote speakers for an automotive vehicle | |
| CA2064129A1 (en) | Car-mounted booster for plug-in connection with mobile telephone set | |
| GB2073982A (en) | Receiver | |
| CA1076209A (en) | Combination microphone, speaker, and control unit for a radio transceiver | |
| US6856798B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for receiving television audio signals in a mobile vehicle | |
| US4184115A (en) | Mobile citizen band transceiver control unit with an audio frequency apparatus | |
| GB1581679A (en) | Radio transceiver equipment | |
| JPH10336311A (en) | Handsfree telephone system | |
| EP0715783B1 (en) | Apparatus for providing sound in vehicles | |
| JP3686218B2 (en) | Car phone system | |
| US20030148787A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for using an external audio system with a communication device | |
| US2452384A (en) | Automobile radio remote control | |
| JP2001516983A (en) | Antenna base receiver | |
| KR200244953Y1 (en) | Two channel wireless transmission hands-free and wireless receiver having multipurpose function | |
| GB2305066A (en) | Car radio adaptor for a cellular telephone | |
| US4080569A (en) | Radio transceiver dimmer switch | |
| KR20000038172A (en) | Hands-free kit for vehicle using car audio |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |