Remote-controlled VCR using an associated TV for audible feedback
AssigneeSmart VCR Limited Partnership
InventorMichael R. Levine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a video cassette recorder (VCR) adapted for use in conjunction with a television (TV) receiver, a audio signal generator is used to produce an audio signal in response to key closures made on the VCR's remote unit with the TV speaker being used as an audio output device. In an alternative embodiment, the audio generator is in the form of a speech synthesizer which generates a human-voice message in response to commands entered via the keypad. The main VCR housing may alternatively come equipped with its own speaker, obviating the need to feed the audio signals to the TV.
Claims8
A VCR providing audible feedback through an associated television receiver, comprising:
- a remote control unit including a keypad operative to accept user commands and a transmitter operative to transmit control codes representative of said commands;
- a housing separate from said remote unit, including:
- a remote control receiver operative to receive control codes transmitted by the remote unit;
- an audio signal generator;
- an RF modulator having as an input the output of said audio signal generator, the modulator being operative to modulate the audio signal onto an RF channel output signal;
- control means connected to the audio signal generator and the remote control receiver, said control means being operative to detect key closures on the remote keypad and cause the audio signal generator to generate an audio signal when a key is depressed;
- and
- a connector disposed on said housing and cabling means to deliver said RF channel output signal to said television receiver so that said audio signal may be heard through said television receiver.
In a VCR with a remote control unit, the method of providing audible feedback through an associated TV in response to keypad depressions made on the VCR remote control unit, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting to the VCR a signal related to a keypad depression made on its associated remote unit;
- receiving said keypad-related signal at the VCR;
- generating an audio signal in response no said keypad-related signal;
- and
- outputting an audio signal to the TV by modulating said audio signal onto an RF carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.