US4190819A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle audio information system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-01-31
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Granted: 1980-02-26
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Expires: 1997-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle information system having a programmable automotive tape recorder that can automatically deliver sequential prerecorded messages concerning road information and the like at predetermined intervals. An electromechanical adaptor connected to the odometer system of the vehicle provides pulses that are proportional to the distance traveled and these pulses are fed into a microprocessor which performs arithmetic and logic functions to drive a tape recorder with prerecorded messages. The system permits the distance data for programming the microprocessor and the related sequential messages to be stored directly on the tape such as a prerecorded casesette or for the distance data to be stored in the memory of the microprocessor with the sequential messages on the tape only.
Inventors
- 👤 Lajos Burgyan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:04
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A compact audio information system for connection to a motor vehicle including a tape recorder for delivering messages in a sequential order at predetermined intervals related to the distance traveled by the motor vehicle, comprising: means responsive to vehicle movement for generating an output pulse train proportional to the distance traveled by the vehicle; and means connected to an output of the generating means including a pulse memory for accumulating the pulse train, a programmable memory for storing preselected distance data, and means for comparing the accumulated pulse train with the stored distance data for energizing the tape recorder to deliver one of the sequential messages every time the incoming accumulated pulse train in the pulse memory is approximately equal to the addressed distance data in the programmable memory; means connected to a first output of the energizing means and to an input of the tape recorder and responsive to a signal at the first output of the energizing means for recording a tone signal of a predetermined frequency on the tape; means for sensing the tone signal connected to an output of the tape recorder and connected to an input of the energizing means whereby the tone signal acts to separate the sequential messages from one another and to stop the playback of the tape recorder when the tone signal is sensed; and wherein the tape includes a format comprising a first distance data, the tone signal, a first message, a second distance data, the tone signal, a second message and so on in that order until the nth message on the tape is reached followed by the tone signal for stopping the playback of the tape recorder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A compact audio information system for connection to a motor vehicle including a tape recorder for delivering messages in a sequential order at predetermined intervals related to the distance traveled by the motor vehicle, comprising: means responsive to vehicle movement for generating an output pulse train proportional to the distance traveled by the vehicle; and means connected to an output of the generating means including a pulse memory for accumulating the pulse train, a programmable memory for storing preselected distance data, and means for comparing the accumulated pulse train with the stored distance data for energizing the tape recorder to deliver one of the sequential messages every time the incoming accumulated pulse train in the pulse memory is approximately equal to the addressed distance data in the programmable memory; means connected to a first output of the energizing means and to an input of the tape recorder and responsive to a signal at the first output of the energizing means for recording a tone signal of a predetermined frequency on the tape; means for sensing the tone signal connected to an output of the tape recorder and connected to an input of the energizing means whereby the tone signal acts to separate the sequential messages from one another and to stop the playback of the tape recorder when the tone signal is sensed; and wherein the tape includes a format comprising a first distance data, the tone signal, a first message, a second distance data, the tone signal, a second message and so on in that order until the nth message on the tape is reached followed by the tone signal for stopping the playback of the tape recorder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The audio information system of claim 1 further including means for entering the preselected distance data into the programmable memory of the energizing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The audio information system of claim 2 wherein said entering means is a decoder for receiving distance data stored on the tape and providing a coded output signal for setting the programmable memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The audio information system of claim 1 further including means actuated by an operator of the motor vehicle for starting the playback of the tape recorder to deliver the current sequential message that is due if the message is late and for clearing the pulse memory for the next accumulated pulse train to be compared with the next stored distance data in the programmable memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The audio information system of claim 1 further including means actuated by an operator of the motor vehicle for adding an increment of distance to the next distance data stored in the programmable memory if the preceding message was delivered too early.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The audio information system of claim 1 wherein the tape has the distance data for setting the programmable memory stored directly on it.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for delivering prerecorded messages concerning road information and the like at predetermined intervals related to the distance a motor vehicle travels, comprising the steps of: utilizing a tape recorder in conjunction with an arithmetic and logic functioning microprocessor; generating pulses that are proportional to the distance traveled by the vehicle; accumulating the generated pulses in the microprocessor; programming the microprocessor with preselected distance data related to each of the prerecorded messages; dividing the accumulated pulses by pulses per a measurement of distance resulting in a quotient; comparing the quotient with one of the preselected distances stored in the microprocessor to produce an output signal that drives the tape recorder to deliver one of the prerecorded messages related to the compared distance whenever the quotient is approximately equal to the preselected distance; and sensing a recordmark on the tape after each prerecorded message for stopping the playback of the tape recorder until the next quotient is equal to the next preselected distance in the microprocessor, wherein the tape includes a format comprising a first distance data, the recordmark, a first message, a second distance data, the recordmark, a second message and so on in that order until the nth message on the tape is reach followed by the recordmark for stopping the playback of the tape recorder and in which the distance data on the tape programs the microprocessor with its preselected distance data related to each of the prerecorded messages.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for delivering prerecorded messages concerning road information and the like at predetermined intervals related to the distance a motor vehicle travels, comprising the steps of: utilizing a tape recorder in conjunction with an arithmetic and logic functioning microprocessor; generating pulses that are proportional to the distance traveled by the vehicle; accumulating the generated pulses in the microprocessor; programming the microprocessor with preselected distance data related to each of the prerecorded messages; dividing the accumulated pulses by pulses per a measurement of distance resulting in a quotient; comparing the quotient with one of the preselected distances stored in the microprocessor to produce an output signal that drives the tape recorder to deliver one of the prerecorded messages related to the compared distance whenever the quotient is approximately equal to the preselected distance; and sensing a recordmark on the tape after each prerecorded message for stopping the playback of the tape recorder until the next quotient is equal to the next preselected distance in the microprocessor, wherein the tape includes a format comprising a first distance data, the recordmark, a first message, a second distance data, the recordmark, a second message and so on in that order until the nth message on the tape is reach followed by the recordmark for stopping the playback of the tape recorder and in which the distance data on the tape programs the microprocessor with its preselected distance data related to each of the prerecorded messages.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-08-27 | 1984-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-25 | 1987-08-27 | 1988-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-25 | 1991-08-27 | 1992-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |