Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to a television system specially construc-
ted for rental use, in particular- for use in institutions such as hospitals.
Television systems which are placed within each room in a hospital can
be re~ted by the users of the room for a daily charge. Typically, an employee
of the company managing the televisions within the hospital will come around
to see each patient on a daily basis to see if the patient desires to rent
the television. If the patient so desires, then the television system is
turned on by a key operated actuating switch. Often, the patient will enter
the hospital at a time when the key operator is unavailable. Under such
circumstances it is necessary for the patient to wait until the key operator
is available, which often can be the next day.
The delay in initiation of the rental period causes a loss in rental
income for the owner-operators of the television systems. In addition, it
results in inconvenience to the patients.
Summary of the Inve tion
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved rental
television system that overcomes the drawbacks of those prior systems as
discussed above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rental tele-
vision system having an override switching system for enabling the user of
the system to override the key operated actuating switch of the rental
television.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an override
switching system for use with a rental television system for enabling the user
to override the key operated actuating switch normally used for activating the
television system.
~D78C~
A television system constructed in accordance with the present invention
includes a key operated actuating switch which can be switched between an off
position for preventing normal operation of the television and on position
which enables the television to be operated. The television system also
includes an override switching device which is capable of being switched
from a normal position to an actuated position for overriding the key oper-
ated switch and enabling the television to be operated without having the key
operated switch switched into its on position. The system also includes an
indicating device for indicating when the override switch has been actuated.
Throughout this application, reference is made to controlling the tele-
vision system so as to enable normal operation. The reference to normal
operation refers to that operation which enables the user to be able to view
programs on all channels received within the geographical area. Often, even
without turning on the key operated switch in the television system, it is
possible for the user to be able to view programs on one selected channel
of the television. Often, hospitals will provile educational programs on one
selected channel for use by all patients without incurring any expense.
More specifically, the improved rental television system constructed
in accordance with the present invention has an actuating system including
the key operated switch, an override switching system which enables the key
operated switch to be overridden and an indicating mechanism for providing an
indicating signal when the override switching system has been actuated. The
key operated switch is switchable between an off position for preventing
normal operation of the television and an on position for enabling the tele-
vision to be operated. The override switching system is capable of being
switched from a normal position to an actuated position for overriding the
key operated switch when it is in its off position and enabling the television
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to be operated. The indicating mechanism provides an appropriate indicating
signal, such as the activation of a light, when the override switching system
has been actuated.
The indicating light remains on until the override switching system is
deactivated. In this manner, the operator of the rental televisions when he
makes his next round through the hospital will see the indicating light and
then can visit the patient to sign the patient up for a normal rental period.
In addition, it is possible for the operator to collect a fee for a time
period commencing with the time at which the patient actuated the override
switching system, thereby enabling the operator to collect a larger rental fee.
After the operator has signed up the patient for a specific rental
period, the operator will activate the key operated switch. The system is
constructed so that when the key operated switch is~switched into its on
position it automatically causes the override switching system to return to
its normal position.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a television system constructed
in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a more detailed block circuit diagram of the television
system illustrated in Figure 1, with all of the switches set in their normal,
or deactivated, positions.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
A television system constructed in accordance with the present invention
is illustrated in Figure 1. That system includes a television 1, a key
operated switching device 2 and an override system 3. In addition, there is
generally a remote control 6 for turning the television off and on once it
has been switched into an operating condition and for changing channels and
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adjusting the volume on the television. Such remote control systems are
extrememly well-known in the prior art.
To understand the function of this device, it is desirable to first
understand the operation of the TV and its remote control system. Assume that
channel 7 is an educational channel which the hospi*al is offering free. When
key activating switch 2 is in its off position, the user can press remote
control 6 and the tuner will move from its off position on the tuner to channel
7 ~ON) and stop. The set is adjusted internally to operate in this fashion.
The user now can watch the free educational TV channel. If the remote
control is pressed again, the tuner will go to its off position and stop.
The user cannot stop at the other TV channels unless key activating switch 2
is turned on or override 3 activated.
Key operated switching system 2 includes a key operated switch 7 and
a relay coil 8. Switch 7 as with all the other switches illustrated in the
drawings is shown in its normal, or deactivated, position. When switch 7 is
closed, relay coil 8 is energized and holds 7 in its closed position.
Override system 3 can include four basic relay switches 9a through 9d.
When the tuner which is connected to contact 4 i9 connected to ground, the
tuner is not capable of being normally used. Switches 9b, 9c, and 9d are all
switched by relay coil 8 upon actuation of key operated switch 7 or upon
closing of override switches 10a and 10b as discussed below.
Override system 3 includes two push-button switches 10a and 10b and a
latching coil 11. When switches 10a and 10b are pushed closed, latching coil
11 is energized by 24 AC source 12. Switches 10a and 10b are momentary
contact switches, and are activated only when simultaneously depressed; by
simultaneously depressing 10a and 10b, voltage is passed through latching
coil 11. When latching coil 11 is activated, it switches 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d
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causing the ground path from the tuner to ground to be broken or opened, this
is accomplished by a 9a switching to the opposite contact. The 24 VAC
connected to contact 12 is~applied to switch 9c and has a path to indicating
light 5. When the tuner ground path is opened, the tuner will stop at all
channels allowing full viewing of the normal TV signals.
Once the override system is activated by the user simultaneously
depressing 10a and lOb, indicating light 5 is activated, indicating that the
TV set has been rented. Depressing switches lOa and lOb once the rental light
has been activated will not deactivate the current. ~hen the rental operator
sees the indicating light, he has been alerted that the television set has
been activated and rented. By activating the set with the key, he will
simultaneously deactivate the override system and deactivate the indicating
light.
It is noted that the above description and the accompanying drawings
are provided merely to present an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
and that additional modifications of that embodiment are possible within the
scope of this invention without deviating from the spirit thereof.
