Abstract:
A device comprising a housing, a battery source, a transformer, a light, a radio, and a clock. The battery source is held in the housing and provides a first source of direct current (DC). The transformer, which is also held in the housing, is configured for receiving an alternating current (AC) from a source of AC and for converting the AC to a second source of DC. The light, the radio and the clock are also held in the housing. The light, the radio and the clock are operatively connected to the battery source and the transformer to receive the first and/or second source of DC thereby energizing these components. The device further includes a sensor, in electrical communication with the radio, for detecting AC availability. The radio has several modes. In a first mode, the radio is off regardless of whether the sensor detects availability of the AC. In a second mode, the radio is on when the sensor detects AC availability and the radio is off when the sensor determines that the AC is not available. In a third mode, the radio is on regardless of the availability of the AC.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to emergency lighting and public communication equipment in general, and to combination emergency lighting and public communication equipment in particular. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   One of the problems that exists during power outages is that of corresponding disruption of communication, lack of visibility in darkened structures or areas and disorientation as to the time of day or night. These circumstances may occur to a lesser extent during relatively minor power disruptions such as thunderstorms, transformer or other service equipment malfunctions and the like, or in more serious power outages during hurricanes, tornadoes, war and similar circumstances. 
   In the past, there have been efforts to provide lighting and communication equipment that may be useful during such emergencies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,368,067, entitled “Clock Radio Lamp Combination,” to Paxinos provides a clock-radio combination having a high-intensity lamp, a clock and a radio. However, this combination can only be powered by a source of household alternating current, which in the case of a power failure or black-out, would not be useful for either lighting or listening to the radio. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,649, entitled “Plug-In Emergency Light Fixture,” to McCue et al. provides an emergency light fixture permanently mounted in a conventional power outlet box having a threaded bore for accommodating a screw to mount a face plate, and slots for accommodating an electric plug. The emergency light fixture includes a housing, an electric plug extending from the rear wall of the housing, a battery, a battery charger and a lamp mounted in the housing and wired to provide illumination during power outages. A drawback with the McCue et al. device is that it is permanently mounted in a wall outlet. As such, the device is not useful in a number of emergency situations, such as when the occupants of a dwelling seek to evacuate the dwelling for a better shelter such as a storm cellar. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,147, entitled “Emergency Sign,” to Bowman details an illuminated exit sign having multiple, series-connected, light-emitting diodes arranged to form the word “EXIT” and a control circuit for supplying power to the series-connected diodes from the line power and, during power failures, from battery power. The control circuit illuminates the diodes continuously during normal operation and switches the diodes alternately on and off during a power failure. While the Bowman device has considerable utility in its own right, it, like the McCue et al. device, cannot be used to perform a number of emergency functions such as providing portable light. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,424, entitled “Emergency Lighting Circuits,” to Nuckolls et al. details an emergency lighting circuit that includes a lamp which can be energized by a battery-inverter circuit upon power failure. The battery is connected to the inverter circuit and the lamp by a relay that is connected to the rectifier supplying charging current to the battery. The rectifier is connected across the power supply line in series with a ballast reactor. The circuit can be used as emergency lighting only, or the lamp can be employed for normal lighting purposes and switched to the inverter power when line voltage is interrupted. U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,039, entitled “Emergency Lighting Supervisory System,” to Balcom et al. details a system that monitors utility power, in order to automatically connect emergency lights to a battery source when the utility power fails. The system continually monitors selected parameters, automatically periodically tests the system under simulated, full-load conditions and enunciates the results of these tests. The drawback with the Nuckolls et al. and Balcom et al. devices, is that, like the Bowman and McCue et al. devices, they are permanently fixed to conventional power lines and therefore cannot be used in a number of emergency scenarios. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,986, entitled “Combination Light, Radio and Clock,” to Johnson provides a device having a small incandescent light, a radio and clock, all housed within the same cabinet or housing. The light, clock and radio can be used during emergencies when energized by replaceable, rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries. The Johnson device, while functional, is unsatisfactory. The device includes a power cord. Thus, although the radio will work on battery power, the presence of the power cord makes use of the radio as a portable emergency radio awkward. Furthermore, the light is on the front of the device. Given the flat design of the Johnson device, the positioning of the light on the front panel of the device makes operation of the Johnson device as a flashlight awkward. 
   U.S. Patent No. 5,465,198, entitled “Combination Clock Radio, Night Light and Power Receptacle,” to Kellogg describes a combination appliance that includes the features of a radio, a clock and a light fixture and an electrical receptacle operated by alternating current. However, the Kellogg appliance is entirely reliant on household current and as such, is wholly inadequate for emergency situations where device portability is needed. Furthermore, the light in the Kellogg appliance is a night light, which again is unsatisfactory for emergency situations, where a bright light is needed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,061 B1, entitled “Combination Lighting System, Alarm Clock, Radio and Television Having Secondary Power Supply,” to McKenzie et al. describes a self-contained, portable, remote controlled combination television receiver, FM/AM radio receiver, clock and electric lamp. Alternative embodiments provide the lamp alone, the lamp and the radio receiver alone, or the lamp and the television receiver alone. Regardless, the McKenzie et al. device as described is bulky and has a power cord, making its use as an emergency device awkward in many emergency situations. For instance, the McKenzie device comes with a remote controlled device in order to control the lamp, radio, and television receiver suggesting the immobility of the device. And one suggested power source is a car battery. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,917 B1, entitled “Combination Flashlight and Two-way Radio,” to Aperocho et al. describes a combination flashlight and two-way radio. The Aperocho et al. device includes a recharging control base that plugs into a conventional AC current source. As such, the Aperocho et al. has the drawback of being complex. Moreover, the Aperocho et al. device lacks important functionality such as a clock and an FM/AM radio. 
   Given the above background, what is needed beyond the prior art are improved light weight portable emergency devices that are useful in a broad array of emergency situations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the drawbacks found in prior art devices. The present invention provides a device in an integrated housing that includes a light, FM/AM radio, and clock that are each regulated by an auto power on feature in the event of power failure. The FM/AM radio has three modes, “power off” mode, “standby” mode, and “radio on” mode. In the “power off” mode, the radio is turned off regardless of the current source. In “standby” mode, the radio turns on when there is an AC current source loss. An AC current source loss occurs either when the device is unplugged or during a power outage. In “radio on” mode, the FM/AM radio is on regardless of the AC current source status. The light has two mode “alert” and “off”. In “alert” mode, the light is illuminated when there is an AC current source loss. In “off” mode, the light does not illuminate, regardless of the current source status. 
   Some embodiments of the device include a collapsible plug that can be used to plug the device directly into an outlet, allowing a rechargeable battery pack in the device to recharge. In preferred embodiments, the clock includes a display with a backlight feature that illuminates when the device is plugged into the wall. The backlight feature turns off when the AC current source is lost, either because the device has been unplugged from the outlet or due to a power outage. The device preferably includes an antenna and a headphone jack. The device will use the headphone cord as an antenna in instances where the headphone cord is inserted in the headphone jack and the telescopic antenna is retracted. 
   The present invention is highly advantageous. The device can be set so that, during a blackout the light and/or radio/alarm automatically turn on. This serves as an important orientation functionality to those in the vicinity of the device. The light and sound guides such persons to the device even in the event of a total blackout. Then, the device can be unplugged from the wall and used as a flashlight and portable radio. 
   Some embodiments of the device include an alarm clock. This feature, combined with its light weight allows for the use of that device as a traveling aid, thereby reducing reliance on hotel alarm clocks, wake up calls, and emergency lighting. In some embodiments the device is water resistant so that it can be used in a bathroom or kitchen. In some embodiments, the device further includes a smoke detector. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the combination light, radio, and clock of this invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a second front perspective view of the combination light, radio, and clock of this invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view, partially in section, of the combination light, radio and clock illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first rear perspective view of the combination light, radio and clock illustrated in  FIG. 1  in which a collapsible plug used to power the device is in an extended position; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second first rear perspective view of the combination light, radio and clock illustrated in  FIG. 1  in which the collapsible plug is in a collapsed position. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a schematic wiring diagram of the combination light, radio, and clock illustrated in  FIG. 1  with a smoke alarm. 
   

   Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, hereafter referred to in the alternative as the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a combined lamp, alarm clock, and radio receiver all integrally contained within a housing  11 . In a preferred embodiment, housing  11  is generally rectangular as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment housing  11  has a metallic silver or metallic pearl finish. In other embodiments housing  11  has a colored finish, such as blue, white, or pink. However, the invention is not limited to such finishes and any suitable casing finish is within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , which is not drawn to scale, is approximately three inches wide (as measured from side  74  to side  72 ), has a height of approximately five inches (as measured from bottom  82  to top  80 ), and has a depth of approximately 1.4 inches. While the invention is not limited to such dimensions, in preferred embodiments, apparatus  10  is dimensioned and configured so that it can be plugged into a wall outlet. In some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus  10  weighs between 5 ounces and 16 ounces. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  weighs 10 ounces. 
   The lamp section comprises a source of illumination  15 . In some embodiments, there is a shade (not shown) that covers illumination source  15  so as to provide a desired night-light type lighting effect. In some embodiments, illumination source  15  includes a dimmer control (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, illumination source  15  provides illumination in flashlight type arc. As such, apparatus  10  can be used as a flashlight. In some embodiments of the present invention, illumination source  15  is an LED light that, when illuminated, has a normal current drain of 20 mA and a maximum current drain of 26 mA. 
   The radio receiver comprises radio signal receiving and processing circuitry, a tuning dial  202 , an on/off volume control  204 , a display  40  ( FIG. 2 ) for displaying an indication of whether the radio is tuned using the AM or FM band and the frequency to which the radio is tuned, an FM/AM band toggle switch  62  to control whether the radio is tuned to the AM band or the FM band, and an antenna. In typical embodiments the antenna includes a built in ferrite bar antenna (not shown) for AM and a telescoping  64  antenna for FM. 
   A significant advantage of button  70  is that it allows the radio to be set into one of three modes. When the radio is set in a first mode (“off mode”), the radio is off regardless of whether alternating current is available to the radio. When the radio is set in a second mode (“alert mode”), the radio is off when the alternating current is available to the radio and the radio is on when the alternating current is not available to the transformer means. When the radio is set in a third mode (“on”), the radio is on regardless of whether the alternating current is available. Thus, a user can use apparatus  10  in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations. To conserve battery power, the first mode of the radio can be used to keep the radio completely turned off regardless of whether the radio has access to AC power. The second mode of the radio can be used in those situations where one desires the radio to “turn on” when there is a power outage. This second mode of the radio is useful for localizing apparatus  10  during a power outage where visibility is likely to be reduced. In such instances, the radio acts as a beacon, helping people in the vicinity of the radio to find apparatus  10 . In addition to helping localize apparatus  10  in an emergency setting, the second mode of the radio is advantageous because it can be used as an alarm to indicate that power has been lost. Thus, the second mode of the radio of apparatus  10  can be used in power critical situations, such as emergency rooms, construction sites, nursing homes, and the like. In the third mode, the radio is on regardless of whether the alternating current is available. Thus, the third radio mode complements the other two radio modes, enabling apparatus  10  to be used as a conventional radio. 
   In some embodiments of the present invention, illumination source  15  is a white light emitting diode (LED). In preferred embodiments of the present invention, illumination source  15  has two modes and switch  70  is used to toggle between these two modes. In the first mode, illumination source  15  is off regardless of whether alternating current is available. When the illumination source  15  is set in the second mode, the light is off when alternating current is available and the light is on when the alternating current is not available. The provision of these two modes provides novel advantages to apparatus  10 . When in the first mode, illumination source  15  is off regardless of the AC power supply status, thereby conserving battery life for other functions such as the radio and/or clock. When in the second mode, illumination source  15  can serve as an emergency light. Further, when in the second mode, illumination source  15  can serve as a beacon to assist in localizing the device. 
   Apparatus  10  further includes output jack  66  for an ear piece. In some embodiments, output jack  66  supports stereo headsets. Advantageously, when a headset is plugged into jack  66 , the radio can use the headphone cord (not shown) as an antenna. In one embodiment of the present invention, when a headphone cord is inserted in headphone jack  66 , the headphone cord is used by the radio as an antenna in instances where the retractable telescopic antenna  64  is in the retracted position of  FIG. 2 . 
   The clock, having a settable alarm capability, is set using hour button  50  and minute button  52  in conjunction with time set button  60 . Time can be displayed on display  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , along with an AM/PM indicator. The alarm is set on and off using button  56  and alarm time is set using hour button  50  and minute button  52  in conjunction with alarm set button  58 . Apparatus  10  further provides a loudspeaker  68  to reproduce audible sound from the radio and/or alarm. 
   Under normal conditions, apparatus  10  is energized by a source of alternating current (AC) power, such as ordinary household current. Advantageously, the AC power is supplied to the present invention  10  using a collapsible plug  402  ( FIG. 4 ), when the plug  40  is connected to an AC source in the usual manner. Typically, the AC current source is in the form of an electrical receptacle that provides a 105–125 volt, 55–65 Hz power source when connected to the source of alternating current. The collapsible plug is highly advantageous because it allows apparatus  10  to be easily mounted in any outlet, such as in the bathroom, kitchen, garage, or other convenient locations. Then, when apparatus  10  is needed for portable purposes, such as in the case of an emergency, the apparatus can simply be unplugged and the collapsible plug can be folded to the down position  502  that is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   The collapsible plug illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  provide apparatus  10  with a distinct advantage over many known emergency devices. The collapsible plug, in combination with the light and radio feature, allow apparatus  10  to be used as a portable radio and/or flashlight without any need for a charging base or other form of adapter stand. In fact, in one preferred embodiment, light  15  is positioned on the side  74  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or the side  72  of apparatus  10 , as opposed to the front panel of apparatus  10  where control buttons  50  through  60  are situated. In another preferred embodiment, light  15  is position on top  80  or bottom  82 . Such embodiments facilitate the use of apparatus  10  as a flashlight from an ergonomical standpoint and further allows for the control of the radio and alarm setting features while illumination source  15  is on. 
   Upon the occurrence of an emergency situation, such as a power failure or black-out, apparatus  10  can be energized by a direct current (DC) source, such as by battery pack  302  ( FIG. 3 ). A battery compartment serves to house battery pack  302 . Battery pack  302  can comprise one or more batteries. The batteries in battery pack  302  can be either disposable or rechargeable. In the case where batteries  302  are rechargeable, recharging power is obtained from converted alternating current via battery charging circuitry when apparatus  10  is connected to a source of AC power by plug  402 . In other words, battery pack  302  is constantly being recharged when apparatus  10  is provided with AC power, so that in the event of an emergency situation, illumination source  15 , the radio, and the clock will readily be available to the user. 
   In some embodiments, battery pack comprises a rechargeable battery and a non-rechargeable battery and further comprises a relay mechanism (not shown) connected to the rechargeable battery and the non-rechargeable battery, whereby the non-rechargeable battery supplies direct current to other components of apparatus  10  (e.g., light  15 , the radio and the clock) responsive to low voltage in the rechargeable battery and operation of the relay mechanism. 
   In some embodiments of the present invention, battery pack  302  (battery source) includes a rechargeable battery and a transformer connected to battery pack  302  so that, when a transformer (not shown) receives alternating current from a source of alternating current (e.g., a standard source of AC power) and converts it to a source of direct current, the direct current recharges the rechargeable battery. In some embodiments of the present invention, the transformer provides a DC supply voltage of 4.8 volts, with 50 mW of power and a load resistance of 8 ohms using a standard 120V, 60 Hz source of power. 
   In some embodiments of the present invention, display  40  has a backlight feature. In some embodiments, the backlight is not illuminated when a source of alternating current is available to apparatus  10 . Because of the power consuming properties of the backlight, in preferred embodiments, the backlight is typically only illuminated when the source of alternating current is available to apparatus  10 . As such, the backlight is typically not illuminated when the source of alternating current is not available to apparatus  10 . The backlight feature operates independently of the display functionality used to display clock time and/or radio frequency signal. In other words, clock time and/or radio frequency signal is displayed on display  40  even when the backlight feature is turned off. The backlight feature is advantageous because if facilitates viewing the time and/or radio frequency signal in a darkened room. In some embodiments of the present invention, the backlight feature provides a white, bluish, greenish, pink, or magenta glow. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention comprises illumination source  15 , with the above described two modes without the clock or the radio. As shown and discussed above, electrical power is provided by either a source of alternating current (AC) or by a source of direct current (DC), including the battery recharging features. Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises the radio receiver with the above described three clock modes, without illumination source  15 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1–5 , apparatus  10  is dimensioned and configured such that it obstructs both receptacles in a standard two-receptacle power outlet. Even when apparatus  10  is plugged into the lower receptacle, the upper receptacle is blocked. Therefore, in some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus  10  includes a bypass electrical receptacle (not shown) so that a receptacle remains available. This embodiment is useful in situations, such as the bathroom, where the apparatus can be plugged into the power outlet but still provide a receptacle for use by a blow dryer, electric razor, or curling iron, etc. 
     FIG. 6  shows a schematic wiring diagram for apparatus  10 . The source of illumination  15  is in electrical connection with and energized by a source of power, either AC power supplied through collapsible plug  402  (through battery charger/transformer  35 ), or DC power supplied from battery pack  302 . The source of illumination  15  is optionally controlled by dimmer  13 . The case as to which source  402  or  302  is actually supplying power to the illumination source  15  depends on whether or not an emergency situation exists requiring use of the battery pack  302 . Similarly, the radio and optional smoke detector  19  are also in electrical connection with the AC source and the DC source. 
   In some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus  11  is water resistant so that the apparatus can be used in a kitchen or bathroom. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus  10  includes a smoke detector. In such embodiments, the smoke detector complements the other emergency features of apparatus  10  described above. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the AM radio of apparatus  10  has the specifications provided in Table 1. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               AM RADIO SPECIFICATION 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
               TEST 
             
             
               MEASUREMENT ITEM 
                 
               UNIT 
               NORMAL 
               LIMIT 
               CONDITION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               FREQUENCY RANGE 
               LOW 
                 
               520 
               +0/−20 KHz 
                 
             
             
                 
               HIGH 
               KHz 
               1710 
               +20/−0 KHz 
             
             
               DISPLAY FREQUENCY 
                 
               KHz 
               +/−3 KHz 
                +/−5 KHz 
             
             
               ACCURACY 
             
             
               INTERMEDIATE 
                 
               KHz 
               450 
                +/−3 KHz 
             
             
               FREQUENCY 
             
             
               MAX. SENSITIVITY 
                600 KHz 
               dB 
             
             
                 
               1000 KHz 
             
             
                 
               1400 KHz 
             
             
               20 dB 
                600 KHz 
                 
               90 
               92 
             
             
               QUIETING 
               1000 KHz 
               dB 
               88 
               92 
             
             
               SENSITIVITY 
               1400 KHz 
                 
               88 
               92 
             
             
               IMAGE 
                600 KHz 
             
             
               REJECTION 
               1400 KHz 
               dB 
             
             
               IF 
                600 KHz 
             
             
               REJECTION 
               1400 KHz 
               dB 
             
             
               RF OVERLOAD DIST. 
               1000 KHz 
               % 
             
             
               S/N RATIO 
               1000 KHz 
               dB 
               33 
               30 
               120 dB 
             
             
               AGC FIGURE OF 
                 
               dB 
             
             
               MERIT 
             
             
               ACA 
                +10 KHz 
                 
               4 
               3 
             
             
                 
                −10 KHz 
               dB 
               4 
               3 
             
             
               −6 dB 
               +SIDE 
             
             
               BAND WIDTH 
               −SIDE 
               KHz 
             
             
               OSC DROP OUT 
               DC 
             
             
               5 mV/m INPUT 
               AC 
               V 
             
             
               NOISE 
               VOL. MIN 
             
             
               OUTPUT 
               VOL. 
               mV 
             
             
                 
               MAX 
             
             
               MAX. POWER 
               1000 KHz 
               mW 
               90 
               85 
               120 dB 
             
             
               OUTPUT 
             
             
               10% THD POWER 
               1000 KHz 
               mW 
               80 
               75 
               120 dB 
             
             
               OUTPUT 
             
             
               DIST. AT STD. 
               1000 KHz 
               % 
               3 
               5 
               120 dB 
             
             
               OUTPUT 
             
             
               −6 dB 
               LOW 
                 
               260 
               280 
                20 dB S/N 
             
             
                 
               FREQ. 
                 
                 
                 
               SENS. 
             
             
               AUDIO FIDELITY 
               HIGH 
               Hz 
               3000 
               2600 
                20 dB S/N 
             
             
                 
               FREQ. 
                 
                 
                 
               SENS. 
             
             
               CURRENT DRAIN 
               NO 
               mA 
               35 
               40 
             
             
                 
               SIGNAL 
             
             
               VOL. AT MAX. 
               MAX. 
               mA 
               80 
               85 
               120 dB 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the FM radio of apparatus  10  has the specifications provided in Table 2. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 2 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               FM RADIO SPECIFICATION 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
               TEST 
             
             
               MEASUREMENT ITEM 
                 
               UNIT 
               NORMAL 
               LIMIT 
               CONDITION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               FREQUENCY 
               LOW 
                 
               87.5 
               +/−300 KHz 
                 
             
             
               RANGE 
               HIGH 
               MHz 
               108.5 
               +/−300 KHz 
             
             
               DISPLAY FREQUENCY 
                 
               MHz 
               0.1 
               0.1 
             
             
               ACCURACY 
             
             
               INTERMEDIATE 
                 
               MHz 
               10.7 
                +/−50 KHz 
             
             
               FREQUENCY 
             
             
               MAX. SENSITIVITY 
                90 MHz 
               dB 
             
             
                 
                98 MHz 
             
             
                 
                106 MHz 
             
             
               30 dB 
                90 MHz 
                 
               18 
               20 
             
             
               QUIETING 
                98 MHz 
               dB 
               18 
               20 
             
             
               SENSITIVITY 
                106 MHz 
                 
               18 
               20 
             
             
               IMAGE REJECTION 
                106 MHz 
               dB 
             
             
               IF REJECTION 
                90 MHz 
               dB 
             
             
               SPURIOUS 
                98 MHz 
               dB 
             
             
               SELECTIVITY 
               +400 KHz 
                 
               14 
               10 
             
             
                 
               −400 KHz 
               dB 
               14 
               10 
             
             
               RF OVERLOAD DIST. 
                98 MHz 
               % 
             
             
               APPARENT PEAK 
                 
               KHz 
             
             
               SEPARATION 
             
             
               S/N RATIO 
                98 MHz 
               dB 
               51 
               48 
               60 dB 
             
             
               −3 dB LIMITING 
                98 MHz 
               dB 
             
             
               SENS. 
             
             
               AM SUPPRESSION 
                98 MHz 
               dB 
             
             
               AFC HOLD - IN 
               +SIDE 
               KHz 
             
             
               RANGE WITHIN 3 dB 
               −SIDE 
             
             
               DSC DROP OUT 
               DC 
             
             
               1 mV INPUT AT 
               AC 
               V 
             
             
               98 MHz 
             
             
               MAX. POWER 
                98 MHz 
               mW 
               90 
               85 
               60 dB 
             
             
               OUTPUT 
             
             
               10% THD POWER 
                98 MHz 
               mW 
               80 
               75 
               60 dB 
             
             
               OUTPUT 
             
             
               DIST. AT STD. 
                98 MHz 
               % 
               1 
               3 
             
             
               OUTPUT 
             
             
               AUDIO FIDELITY −6 dB 
               LOW 
               Hz 
               260 
               280 
               30 dB S/N 
             
             
                 
               FREQ 
                 
                 
                 
               SENS. 
             
             
                 
               HIGH 
               KHz 
               4000 
               3500 
               30 dB S/N 
             
             
                 
               FREQ 
                 
                 
                 
               SENS. 
             
             
               MIN. VOLUME 
                98 MHz 
               mV 
                 
                 
               60 dB 
             
             
               FEEDTHROUGH 
             
             
               NOISE OUTPUT 
               VOL. 
               mV 
             
             
                 
               MIN 
             
             
               CURRENT DRAIN 
               NO 
               mA 
               35 
               40 
             
             
                 
               SIGNAL 
             
             
               VOL. AT MAX. 
               MAX. 
               mA 
               80 
               85 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
   Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.