GB1364325A - Combined signal selection and level adjustment control - Google Patents

Abstract

1364325 Signal selection and gain control RANK ORGANISATION Ltd 4 April 1973 [18 April 1972] 17818/72 Headings H3Q and H3T [Also in Division G1] In an arrangement for combined signal selection and level adjustment, operation of a single actuator, 8, Fig. 1, is arranged to both select a signal and bring an adjustable level control for the signal to an initial setting and the setting of the level control is thereafter automatically adjusted until the actuator is released. As shown in Fig. 1 pressing a pushbutton 8 effects station or channel selection which selection is retained by a latch 7. Also as the button is pressed in a pawl 4 moves out of engagement with a ratchet wheel 1 so as to enable a spring 3 to rotate the ratchet wheel 1 in an anticlockwise direction. This reduces to a lower zero level the volume of a signal level or volume control (not shown) connected to a spindle 2 which is fixed to the ratchet wheel 1. On fully pressing the button contacts 11 are closed to energize a motor 5 which drives the ratchet wheel 1 in a clockwise direction via a slipping clutch 6. This causes increased volume and when desired the button 8 is released to the position determined by the latch 7 so as to stop the motor 5 and return the pawl 4 into engagement with the ratchet wheel so as to retain this volume setting. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 on operating a push button or touch button for station selection a capacitor 14 is discharged. FET 12 then operates to reduce the gain of an audio amplifier in the sound channel to zero or a low level. Then switch 15 is closed to charge the capacitor 14 until the desired volume is reached where on releasing the button the switch 15 is opened and the volume is maintained by the charge retained on the capacitor 14. The control arrangement may be used in radio, television or audio equipment. The Specification mentions application to remote control.