Abstract:
An S.A.P. receiver is provided which does not require a conventional television set to obtain the S.A.P. audio. A tuner is coupled to an S.A.P. decoder and the audio program is output to the user. Thus blind and sight-impaired persons can receive S.A.P. programming without having to purchase a complete television receiver that relies on a user&#39;s ability to see alphanumeric on-screen menus.

Description:
[0001]    This application relates to U.S. application Serial No. 60/330,876 filed Nov. 1, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of useful devices for vision impaired persons, and in particular, audio receivers for receiving the secondary audio program available from television programs.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    A secondary audio program (S.A.P.) service is carried within a television transmission as an alternative to the standard audio that accompanies the video portion of a program. The listener may choose this secondary audio signal. A TV station can broadcast other information to the listener, such as a second-language audio signal or a sound track with descriptive audio information for the sight impaired. Video descriptions on the S.A.P. help blind and vision impaired listeners follow the on-screen action of a television program by providing information that is not obvious from the original sound track. Alternatively, a stand-alone audio program, such as a reading service like VoicePrint™, a round-the-clock audio service produced by The National Broadcast Reading Service, can be delivered to 6.3 million homes via an S.A.P. facility. For a person with low or no vision, the cost of a TV receiver when only audio is required is an unnecessary expense. And its on-screen menu is impossible to access. What is required is a device that can receive a signal on the S.A.P. directly without a TV receiver.  
           [0004]    Regulatory bodies in both Canada and the United States now require broadcasters to provide S.A.P.-based services such as Voiceprint or a described audio sound track to customers in many locations. Television broadcasters in both countries now are required to broadcast described programming during prime-time hours. In North America the described information is broadcast on the S.A.P. Video description rules require TV licensees and program distributors to include 50 hours of described programming per calendar quarter.  
           [0005]    What now is required by blind and sight impaired viewers to access the described information and other special audio services is a tuneable, inexpensive and easy-to-use S.A.P. access device that can be operated without a reliance on controls that sighted viewers use to tune a specific TV channel or a S.A.P.-based service such as a second-language audio signal distributed on the S.A.P. feature of a television transmission.  
         STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides a unique and tuneable S.A.P. access unit that enables blind and vision impaired persons to tune to a TV channel of choice and to receive S.A.P. program signals. Such an access device costs a fraction of the price of a regular TV set and provides access to all available programming that can be received in a particular area. In one embodiment, the S.A.P. access device comprises a cable connector, TV tuner chip, an IF and video detector, an S.A.P. demodulator and audio output. A micro-controller with an optional display and a voice chip controls the operation of the receiver. In an alternative embodiment, the S.A.P. access unit comprises a preset macro programmable remote control, a video cassette recorder (VCR) having an audio output and a multi-media speaker system. The VCR is controlled by the macro programmable remote control, and the user can obtain the required programming by using a tactile key pad to access the appropriate TV channel and then clicking a single button on the control. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the S.A.P access unit;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a front view of the S.A.P. receiver of FIG. 1 with speakers on either side of the unit;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the input circuit of FIG. 1;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an FM receiver of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the S.A.P demodulator of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the multiplexer (MUX) of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the IF and Video detector of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the micro controller of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the voice generator of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the display board of FIG. 1, and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the S.A.P. receiver of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the invention, intended to work from a TV cable or other source of RF TV signals. A cable-in module ( 600 ) receives the signal and feeds it to a band-pass filter ( 601 ), and to a TV tuner ( 602 ). From the band-pass filter, the signal is fed to FM receiver ( 500 ). If FM signals are not required, the band-pass filter ( 601 ), and FM receiver ( 500 ) can be omitted from the unit, with a corresponding saving in cost. From the TV tuner ( 602 ), the signal is fed to the IF and video detector ( 300 ). The S.A.P. demodulator ( 400 ) is connected to the output of the unit ( 300 ), and feeds the secondary audio program to the multiplexer ( 410 ). The S.A.P. receiver is operated by switches ( 201 ), which also operate the display ( 202 ), and the voice chip ( 203 ). The voice chip ( 203 ) sends an audio signal to the speaker ( 700 ), indicating the function selected by the switches ( 201 ). FM left and right signals, TV left and right signals, S.A.P. audio and voice chip signals are fed to the multiplexer ( 410 ) and are passed to amplifiers and stereo equipment as required, as shown in FIG. 7, and described below.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 illustrates the front panel and speakers of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Not shown are connectors for cable and aerial antenna, which would in the usual way be located on the rear of the unit. The controls ( 201 ) are: a power switch ( 30 ) preferably a push button spring type, a signal mode selector ( 31 ) preferably an up/down centre off switch, a channel selector up/down switch ( 32 ), and a status announcement button ( 33 ). A status panel including LED readout shows the channel in a 4 digit numeric display, and a combination LED displays Cable TV/FM/S.A.P. Speakers ( 701 ) and ( 702 ) are shown on either side of the unit.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 in schematic form shows the input circuit ( 600 ) of the unit ( 200 ) including the band-pass filter ( 601 ), and the outputs for the FM receiver ( 500 ) and for the TV tuner ( 602 ). The components and values are chosen to provide the required separation and band-pass required for the FM and TV inputs, which are within the ordinary skill of a circuit designer.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the FM receiver ( 500 ) of FIG. 1. The circuit is provided with 5 volt DC power and two ICs are used, a TDA7021T and TDA7040T. The output from the band-pass filter ( 601 ) of FIG. 3 is received at FM-in ( 501 ) at pin  12  of TDA7021T, and is converted to FM left and FM right audio signals ( 502 ) and ( 503 ), respectively.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is the S.A.P. decoder, or demodulator ( 400 ), which receives the base band Audio at ( 401 ) from the from the IF and video Detector ( 300 ) of FIG. 1 and outputs the S.A.P. audio at ( 402 ) and the TV left and right sound at ( 403 ) and ( 404 ), respectively. The signal processing is performed by the IC TDA3833.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a schematic of the multiplexer ( 410 ) of FIG. 1, which is controlled by the micro controller ( 100 ) of FIG. 1. Audio inputs FM left, FM right, TV left, TV right, S.A.P. and voice from the voice chip ( 203 ) are passed to the outputs Left Out, Right Out and to Audio Amp, under control of signals FM ctl,TVctl, S.A.P.ctl, and voice from the micro controller ( 100 ). Suitable amplifiers ( 411 ) and ( 412 ) amplify the outputs of the MUX ( 410 ) as required.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a schematic of the IF and video detector ( 300 ) of FIG. 1. Ics MC1350P and MC1330P receive and amplify the IF input at ( 301 ), and output the base band audio at ( 302 ) which is input to the S.A.P. demodulator ( 400 ). Component values as illustrated are chosen for the desired operation of the circuit and are within the scope of the circuit designer.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the micro controller ( 100 ). An IC ( 101 ) shown as 87C51 provides control signals to all components of the unit as required. TV control signal (TVctl) is output at pin  19  of the IC and through circuit ( 102 ) toggles between TV and FM signals being fed to the MUX ( 410 ). Similarly, the S.A.P. signal at pin  20  of IC ( 101 ) controls the output of S.A.P. demodulator and passes S.A.P. audio at pin  402  of unit ( 400 ) (FIG. 5). Once again the selection of specific components is within the skill of a circuit designer.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit of the voice chip ( 203 ) of FIG. 1. An IC TSP53C33 generates voice signals under command of the micro controller ( 100 ), which are fed to the MUX ( 410 ) and to the output ( 700 ).  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic for the display board ( 34 ) of FIG. 2. A series of LED symbols are shown together with the drivers and control circuits.  
                                                                                                                             Table 1 below illustrates component values and       specifications for the components of FIGS. 1 to 11.            QTY   Description   Value   P/N   DigiKey P/N                    SAP main board Part list (NO FM receiver)       Oct. 17, 2001 16:54                     2   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   10   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        3   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   27   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   130   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   160   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   180   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        2   molded RF coils   0.12 uH   Delevan, 1641-121j   DN41121-ND        3   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   0.1 uF 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J104KBB   P4887-ND        1   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   0.47 uF 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J474MEB   P4919-ND        1   Elect. Capacitor, radial   1000 uF_63 V   Panasonic ECE-B1JGE102   P5490-ND        1   Volumn Control Pot, with ON/OFF   100K       CT2219-ND        1   Power Inductor   100 uH   Delevan, 2474-25L   DN7425-ND        8   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   10 n 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J103KBA   P4904-ND       13   Elect. Capacitor, radial   10 uF_16 V   Panasonic ECE-A16Z10   P6616-ND        1   Terminal Post   11 contacts       WN4009-ND        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   110K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Wall Transformer   12 V 800 mA   Cui DPD120080-P-5   T507-ND        2   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   1K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        2   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   1K8   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   1K8   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Silicon Diode   1N4002       1N4002CT-ND        1   Shottky Diode   1N5819CT       1N5819CT-ND        6   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   1 nF 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J102JCB   P4812-ND       16   Tantalum. Capacitor, radial   1 uF_16 V   Panasonic ECS-F1CE105K   P2105-ND        8   Terminal Post   2 contacts       WN4000-ND        3   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        2   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   220 n 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J224KBB   P4889-ND        3   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   22K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        7   Trimmer, Multiturn   25K       3299W-253-ND        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   2k2   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   2K7   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        2   Terminal Post   3 contacts       WN4001-ND        2   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   39 pF 100 V   Panasonic ECU-S2A3390JCA   P4844-ND       12   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   4.7K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        4   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   4.7K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        2   Elect. Capacitor, radial   470 uF_25 V   Panasonic ECS-A1VGE471   P5260-ND        1   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   47 nF 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J473KBB   P4885-ND        2   Elect. Capacitor, radial   4u7F_35 V   Panasonic ECS-A1VGE4R7   P5252-ND        1   Terminal Post   5 contacts       WN4003-ND        1   Trimmer, Multiturn   50K       3299W503-ND        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   56K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   RF coils   56 nH   Panasonic ELJ-ND56NJF   PCD1169CT-ND        2   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   56 pF 100 V   Panasonic ECU-S2A560JCA   P4846-ND        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   75K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Voltage Regulator   78M12        1   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   8K2   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   Phillips, RF Tuner   FR1236        1   Switch Mode Voltage Controller   LM2575T-50        1   Speaker amp   MC34119        3   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   TBD   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD        1   TV Sound Process   TDA3833        1   Op Amp   TL082   JFET OP-Amp, DIP        3   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   xxpF   Optional        5   LED       High Efficiency RED LED   HLMP-1700QT-ND        1   Coaxial Power Jack, 2.0 MM       PJ-002A   CP002A-ND        1   Slide Siwtch, SPDT       C&amp;K 1101M2S3ABE2   CKN5005-ND        2   Analog Siwtch       CD4066BE   CD4066BE-ND        1   Plastic Enclosure       6.32″ × 8.10″ × 2.52″        1   Stero Jack, ⅛ in dia. panel Mount           CP-3505-ND        1   Interconnect Cable        1   Speaker, 2.2″        1   Knobes        2   Type F connector, RCA cable        4   Switch. momentary, spst           CKN4051-ND        1   Nuts, #4        1   Screws #4        1   Switch. momentary, spst           CKN4051-ND        1   Switch. momentary, spst           CKN4051-ND        1   Switch. momentary, spst           CKN4051-ND        1   Type F connector, RCA cable        1   PCB, Main board                    SAP display board Part list       Oct. 17, 2001 17:01                    C101   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   39 pF 100 V   Panasonic ECU-S2A3390JCA   P4844-ND       C102   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   39 pF 100 V   Panasonic ECU-S2A3390JCA   P4844-ND       C103   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   1 nF 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J102JCB   P4812-ND       C104   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   1 nF 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J102JCB   P4812-ND       C108   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   39 pF 100 V   Panasonic ECU-S2A3390JCA   P4844-ND       C109   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   39 pF 100 V   Panasonic ECU-S2A3390JCA   P4844-ND       C110   Tantalum. Capacitor, radial   1 uF_16 V   Panasonic ECS-F1CE105K   P2105-ND       C111   Tantalum. Capacitor, radial   1 uF_16 V   Panasonic ECS-F1CE105K   P2105-ND       C112   Tantalum. Capacitor, radial   1 uF_16 V   Panasonic ECS-F1CE105K   P2105-ND       C113   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   22 nF   Panasonic ECU-S1J223KBA   P4884-ND       C114   Elect. Capacitor, radial   10 uF_16 V   Panasonic ECE-A16Z10   P6616-ND       C115   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   10 n 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J103KBA   P4904-ND       C116   Elect. Capacitor, radial   10 uF_16 V   Panasonic ECE-A16Z10   P6616-ND       C118   Ceramic Capacitor, radial   1 nF 63 V   Panasonic ECU-S1J102JCB   P4812-ND       D100   LED, Red       High Efficiency RED LED   HLMP-1700QT-ND       D101   LED, Red       High Efficiency RED LED   HLMP-1700QT-ND       D102   LED, Red       High Efficiency RED LED   HLMP-1700QT-ND       D103   LED, Red       High Efficiency RED LED   HLMP-1700QT-ND       D104   LED, Red       High Efficiency RED LED   HLMP-1700QT-ND       P1   Terminal Post   11 contacts       ED7211-ND       P2   Terminal Post   3 contacts       ED7203-ND       P3   Terminal Post   6 contacts       ED7206-ND       Q100   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       Q101   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       Q102   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       Q103   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       Q104   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       Q105   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       Q106   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       Q107   NPN Transistor   2N3904       2N3904-ND       R100   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   4K7   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R101   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   100K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R102   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R103   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   10K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R104   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R105   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R106   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R107   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R108   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R109   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R110   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R111   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   20K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R112   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R113   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R114   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R115   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R116   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R117   Resistor, 5% 114 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R118   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R119   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   47   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R120   bare wire   0       R121   bare wire   0       R122   bare wire   0       R123   bare wire   0       R124   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   510   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R125   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   510   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R126   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   510   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R127   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   510   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       R128   Resistor, 5% 1/4 W   1K   1/4 Watts 5% Carbon Film   QBK-BD       U100   Microcontroller       87C751       U101   EEPROM       MC24C16       U102   Voice Chip       TSP53C33       U103   Op AMP   TL-082   JFET OP-Amp, DIP       U104   Micro Monitor       DS1232       U105   Serial Latch       74HC164       U106   LED decoder       MC14499       U107   7 segments Display       FND357       U108   7 segments Display       FND357       U109   7 segments Display       FND357       U110   7 segments Display       FND357       U112   microcontroller, optional       AT89C2051       Y100   Crystal   11.0592 MHz       Y101   Crystal   7.68 MHz           16 pins IC Socket           ED3116-ND           8 pins IC Socket           ED31-8-ND           24 pins IC Socket, 0.300 in wide           ED3124-ND           PCB, display board                       US$                  
 
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a VCR ( 20 ), which is controlled by a macro programmable remote control ( 21 ), such as that sold under the brand “One For All Cinema 6” provides a one button accessible S.A.P. access unit. The control ( 21 ) is programmed so that a single button is all that needs to be operated for obtaining an audio output ( 22 ), which can be fed to a multimedia speaker system ( 23 ). The VCR ( 20 ), is connected to cable or antenna inputs ( 24 ) and ( 25 ), and the desired TV channel is selected by pressing the appropriate tactile keys on the remote ( 21 ). The S.A.P. signal is then selected and output through the audio output ( 22 ) to the speaker system ( 23 ). A suitable VCR is a Sharp model VC-H960 HI-FT Stereo Video Cassette Recorder. The VCR used must be stereo and would therefore have S.A.P. capabilities.