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Home , Loudspeaker, Phonograph

Feb. 1, 1927. 1,616,416. R. A. FESSENDEN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING AND REPRODUCTION Original Filled May 21, 1924

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Z27, 2 Patented Feb. 1, 1927. 1,616,416 PATENT OFFICE. REGINALDA, FESSENDEN, OF CHESTNUTHILL, MAssACHUSETTS, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING RADIO AND PHONOGRAPHREPRO DUCTION. Original application fled May 21, 1924, Serial No. 714,889. Divided and this application fled January 35, 1926, Serial No. 83,499. My relates to improving the ef speaker 39, described below. 34 and 55 ficiency of radio and and 80' are for putting the phono phonograph reproduction, and more espe electric generator and the telephone circuits cially to co-ordinating these methods of re in operative relation to the . 5 production, (and similar means, as repro 32 is a switch. When it is thrown to the duction from different radio stations), and right, on to the contact 32', the wireless tele 60 still more especially to convenience in said phone is cut out, and only the phonograph co-operation and to the production of new record is heard. When it is thrown to the effects and results thereby. left, to contact with 33, the phonograph is O The object of my invention. is to accom cut out and at the same time, by reason of the plish said increase in efficiency and said co insertion in the circuit thereby of the com 65 ordination, and said convenience in co-ordi pensating coil 33, or other suitable means, nation and operation, and said new effects the tuning of the wireless circuit is main and results. tained unchanged. When the switch is in 5 The accompanying drawings show, partly the intermediate position, as shown, both diagrammatically, means adapted for the wireless and phonograph act conjointly and 70 carrying out of my invention. a soloist on the wireless may be accompanied Figure 1 shows the arrangement of appa by a full orchestra on the phonograph, or ratus and circuits and vice versa, being regulated by 37 and 20 Figure 2 a type of electric generator relative intensity by 37. 45 is a switch adapted for use with my electro-phonograph. whose function is described below, 5 This application is a division of U.S. ap Fig.2 shows a suitable form of phono-elec plication Serial No. 714,899, filed May 21, tric generator more in detail. Here a light 1924. coil 210 is fastened to the phonograph nee 25 In Fig. 1 is shown a novel system in which dle, as shown, and being moved back and a radio or wire telephone and a phonograph forth in the field of the 190 by the SO act individually or in conjunction, and with motion of 8, pivoted at 27 and actuated by out any necessary mechanical connection be the revolving phonograph disc 28, generates tween the and the de currents which are carried to the reproducer 30 vice emitting the , i.e. the reproducer; 18, as shown. here shown as a piano, 39. Here 20 is the By this invention a number of entirely 85 phono-electric generator, whereby the mi new and very useful results are obtained, nute electric impulses are produced in the e.g. circuit 37, 34, by the relative motion of the It enables one to accompany a broadcast 35 record 28, either optically as shown in U. S solo by McCormack, “That Old Refrain' applications Serial No. 685,699, filed March for example, by a phonograph record of 23rd, 1912 and 42,856, filed July 29th, 1915, Kriesler's (the 's) rendition on the and Serial No. 635,362, phonograph-kineto violin of the same composition, and to modu scope, filed July 26th, 1911 and Serial No. late the strength of the accompaniment at ev 40 423,186, filed Nov. 10th, 1920, (but which op ery instant, and instantaneously, to suit the tical methods and apparatus are not claimed momentarily varying strength of the broad 95 herein); or as shown, and more fully and in cast of the soloist; the tempo being simi detail in Fig. 2, mechanically by the action larly varied to coincide with that of the of the phonograph needle 8; or in any other broadcast; or to supplement the rendition by 45 suitable manner. Damrosch and his orchestra of “Evening The disc 28 is driven by the Star” from Tannhauser over the radio by 00 36, whose speed is regulated as desired by the Caruso's voice from a phonograph record; adjustable resistance 37, or other suitable or to hear Caruso and McCormack sing to means. 37 is an adjustable impedance for gether the same famous song, a possibility of 50 regulating the strength of the electric im great value in the study of singing. pulses in the circuit, and hence the strength Since the same is used, e. g. 105 of the reproduction in the piano-speaker 39. applicant's piano loudspeaker, and actu 30 is the circuit of the wireless or wire tele ated in the same way, i.e. by the same loud phone line; 36 is an amplifier operating the speaker mechanism, and all and 1,616,416 static and other abrupt disturbing impulses will hear both reproductions equally well, are eliminated accurate and satisfactory com no matter where they may sit. parison and accompaniment is rendered pos ly the use of the piano as loud speaker, sible, which is of course not possible where absolutely correct reproduction is obtained the loud speakers are of different types, or and static and E. is cut out. operated by different types of mechanism, e. By this system the power required for O g one by a mechanically acting lever and driving the phonograph discs is much re the other by an electromagnetic mechanism, duced and the whole outfit may be driven or there are disturbing impulses. from dry cells; a matter of importance 0 The listener may himself accompany the radio or phonograph, by playing on the pi SeeOe. no circuits are avail ano, and the effect is much more matural and agreeable, as both come from the same It is preferred that the thrust of the mov location in the room. The desired changes ing part of the electromagnetic or other 5 mechanism which operates the loud speaker in modulation may be made instantly and by against the or its equivalent 80 one seated at a distance, in place of one should be opposed, not by a spring or other standing beside the phonograph loudspeaker; device having a natural period, but as shown and without danger of injuring the record, in Fig. 5 of the parent application, by in by merely shifting the element 37. ertia, and that the only substantial restoring Another advantage is in shifting phono forces should be those inherent in the dia graph records at a distance from the loud phragm or its equivalent. This has been speaker without the necessity of employing found to give, for reasons not here disclosed, special mechanism. One may be seated in a much better results; but same is not herein chair on the opposite side of the room from claimed; being claimed in a companiol, ap the piano loud speaker, and listening to the plication, also a division of 714,899. 9) radio. A broadcast may come in which When the switch 45 is thrown, and the pi might be accompanied by a phonograph ano is played upon, the loud spaker mecha record. If the phonograph motor and disc nism acts as a generator and the table is at the elbow, all that is necessary to played is transmitted through the circuit 46 St place the desired disc on the rotating table, to any place desired, for example to another and adjust the speed and then the modula room in the house. tion by moving 37, 37. And the modulation may be made such that the phonograph re By the term “electro-phonograph' is cord is reproduced many times louder than meant a phonograph in which the recorded s any standard type of phonograph could do, sounds are first transformed into electric im or adjusted more delicately and softly, or pulses before being reproduced; and includes 00 loudly and Softly on the same record, to ac the elements necessary for generating the company the radio, without moving from records.electric impulses from the phonograph the seat. And if the micro-photo-phono 40 graphic records are used, described and Applicant, in his investigations on cutting claimed in Serial No. 423,186, filed Nov. 10th, out scratching, static, and abrupt disturbing 1920, the storage and handling and cost of impulses generally, by the use of a plurality the records is much reduced. - of resonant elements, discovered that even a The type in which an independently play violin, with only four strings, though not 45 able musical instrument with strings such as cutting out static to any useful extent, when a piano is used, enables the listener to ac used as a loud speaker for electric-phono company either the radio or the phonograph graphs, cut out a part of the scratching from or both combined, himself. This is of great the phonograph discs. Applicant the discov value to students on these instruments. A ered (amongst other ways) that by adding ad 50 student can compare his own touch on the ditional resonant elements, for example, piano with that of the greatest living mas reeds attached to the violin bridge, substan ters of the art; or of those long dead. By tially all the scratching could be cut out. He the use of an area source, such as the piano, further found that if the number of reeds the necessity of having the phonograph disc was made sufficiently numerous, such a violin 55 driving apparatus and the radio apparatus loud speaker would even cut out substantial in the same part of the room is obviated. radioly all broadcasting.of the static when used for receiving 120 The wireless apparatus is often best locat Applicant then discovered that a piano ed in one part of the room, near a win could be used for receiving radio broadcast 60 dow, while the phonograph discs may be ing, and that it had a sufficient number of more conveniently located near a fire place resonant elements attached to its sound w s or electric reading lamp. Or one member of board, i.e. the piano strings, to act extremely the household who may prefer to sit in one efficiently as a static eliminator, in addition place, may prefer the radio and another, who to other properties, i.e. that of giving abso may prefer to sit in another, may prefer the lutely faithful reproduction of all sounds, 65 phonograph. With the area source, both from the lowest to the highest, and of giving '" 1,616,416 3. cqual intensity of sound in all parts of the tance from said loudspeaker is greatly re room. As an illustration of the efficiency of duced, and the operation of said loudspeak the piano as a static eliminator, during the el, phonograph and wireless set is made sub past, three summers, applicant, who has one stantially independent of their positions rel in his house, and the members of his house ative to one another. , hold and guests, have never heard static or 2. In combination, an electro-phonograph, known that there was any static, except on a wireless receiving set, and a loud speaker such occasions as they listened in on other comprising a piano operable by the direct types of apparatus, to ascertain the atmos electro-magnetic action of the electro-phono 10 pheric conditions. Reports of other tests, graph and the wireless receiving set, selec 5 e.g. by the U. S. Navy, will be found in the tively or jointly, whereby comparison, may “Boston American' for August 28, 1924, be made, either simultaneously or consecu. with photographs of the apparatus and de tively, between phonograph and wireless re scription of the mechanism attached to the productions without A. from 15 back of a piano, and other details. scratching, static, and other abrupt disturb SO The piano loud speaker 39 of Figure 1 ing impulses, the diminution of sound in may have its sound board set in by tensity with distance from said loud speaker the electric telephonic impulses in any suit is greatly reduced, and the operation of said able way, since the essential feature of its loud speaker, phonograph and wireless set 20 efficiency as a loud speaker lies in the con is made substantially independent of their junction of the sound board with the plu positions relative to one another. rality of resonant elements, i.e. piano . . 3. In combination, an electro-phonograph, In most cases, e. g. as in the “Boston Amer a wireless receiving set, and a loudspeaker ican' reference of August 28, 1924, any good comprising an independently playable piano 25 speaker mechanism is simply wired into the operable by the direct electro-magnetic 0 back of the piano, and its vibrating element action of the electro-phonograph and the fastened to the back of the sound board. wireless receiving set, ER , whereby Better results are, however, obtained by comparison maybe made between phono the arrangement shown in Figure 1, in which graph and wireless reproductions without 30 a nickel or iron wire 43 is fastened at each disturbance from scratching, static and other end to adjustable tuning pins 41, 42, abrupt disturbing impulses, the diminution stretched over bridges 40, 40', and the re of sound intensity with distance from said ceived telephonic currents flowing through loud speaker is greatly reduced, the opera the coil 50 vary the of the tion of said loudspeaker, phonograph and 35 wire 43, and change its length by the well wireless set is made substantially independ 0. known effect, thereby bend ent of their positions relative to one another, ing the sound board in and out, and causing and reproduction may be accompanied on the the whole sound board to act as a unitary piano by independent playing thereof. large diaphragm. By employing a number 4. In combination, an electro-phonograph, 40 of such wires 43, and suitably arranging a wireless receiving set, and a loudspeaker f : them, as shown in another co-pending appli comprising an independently playable piano cation, the piano sound board and wires are operable by the direct electro-magnetic ac made so that they have no detrimental selec tion of the electro-phonograph and the wire tive . The advantage of using the less receiving set, selectively or jointly, . 45 adjustable, tuning pins 41, 42, is that by whereby comparison may be made, either proper stretching of the nickel wire, the simultaneously or consecutively, between magnetostriction effect is greatly improved, phonograph and wireless reproductions and made uniform. without disturbance from scratching, static By the expression “operable selectively and other abrupt disturbing impulses, the 50 by the phonograph or wireless, is meant op diminution of sound intensity with distance erable by either one or the other, as desired. from said loud speaker is greatly reduced, By the term “operable jointly' is meant op the operation of said loudspeaker, phono erable by both of them together and simul graph and wireless set is made substantially taneously. independent of their positions relative to What I claim is:- one another, and reproduction may be ac 20 1. In combination, an electro-phonograph, companied on the piano by independent a wireless receiving set, and a loud speaker playing thereof. comprising a piano operable by the direct 5. In combination, an electro-phonograph, electro-magnetic action of the electro-phono and a piano operable as a loudspeaker for 50 graph and the wireless receiving set, selec said electro-phonograph, whereby scratch tively, whereby comparision may be made ing and other abrupt disturbing impulses between phonograph and wireless reproduc are eliminated from the reproduction of the tions without disturbance from scratching, record and the diminution of sound inten static, and other abrupt disturbing impulses, sity with distance from said loud speaker 65 the diminution of sound intensity with dis is greatly reduced. s 1,616,416 6. In combination, an electro-phonograph, an an independently playable piano op ing set, selectively or jointly, whereby. erable as a loud speaker from said electro comparison may be made, either simulta phonograph, whereby scratching and other neously or consecutively, between plono abrupt disturbing impulses are eliminated graph and wireless reproductions without from the reproduction of the record, the disturbance from scratching, static, and 5 5 diminution of sound intensity with dis other abrupt disturbing impulses, the dimi tance from said loud speaker is greatly re nution of Sound intensity with distance duced, and reproduction may be accom from said loud speaker is greatly reduced, panied on the piano by independent play and the operation of said loud. Speaker, ing thereof. phonograph and wireless set is made sub GO 7. In combination, an electro-phonograph, stantially independent of their positions and a piano operable as a loudspeaker for relative to one another. said electro-phonggraph by the direct elec 11. In combination, al electro-phono tro-magnetic action of the phonograph on graph, a wireless receiving set, and a loud the piano sound board, whereby scratching speaker comprising an independently play and other abrupt disturbing impulses are able piano operable by the electro-phono eliminated from the reproduction of the graph and the wireless receiving set, selec record and the diminution of sound inten tively, whereby comparison may be made it sity with distance from said loud speaker between phonograph and wireless reproduc is greatly reduced. tions without disturbance from scratching, 70 8. In combination, an electro-phonograph, static and other abrupt disturbing inpulses, and a piano operable as a loud speaker for the diminution of sound intensity with dis said electro-phonograph by the direct elec tance from said loud speaker is greatly re • tro-magnetic action of the phonograph on duced, the operation of said loud speaker, the piano sound board through means in phonograph and wireless set is made sub 75 operative contact with the latter, whereby stantially independent of their positions scratching and other abrupt disturbing im relative to one another, and reproduction pulses are eliminated from the reproduction may be accompanied on the piano by inde of the record and the diminution of sound pendent playing thereof. intensity with distance from said loud 12. In combination, an electro-phono 8) speaker is greatly reduced. graph, a wireless receiving set, and a loud 9. In combination, an electro-phonograph, speaker comprising an independently play a wireless receiving set, and a loud speaker able piano operable by the electro-phono :... comprising a piano operable by the electro graph and the wireless receiving set, selec phonograph and the wireless receiving set, tively or jointly, whereby comparison may selectively, whereby comparison may be be made, either simultaneously or consecu made between phonograph and wireless tively, between phonograph and wireless reproductions without disturbance from reproductions without disturbance from scratching, static, and other abrupt disturb scratching, static and other abrupt disturb ing impulses, the diminution of sound in ing impulses, the diminution of sound in 90 tensity with distance from said loud speaker tensity with distance from said loud is greatly reduced, and the operation of said speaker is greatly reduced, the operation loud speaker, phonograph and wireless set of said loud speaker, phonograph and is made substantially independent of their wireless set is made substantially independ positions relative to one another. ent of their positions relative to one an 95 10. In combination, an electro-phono other, and reproduction may be accom graph, a wireless receiving set, and a loud panied on the piano by independent play speaker comprising a piano operable by the ing thereof. 9 electro-phonograph and the wireless receiv REGINALD A. FESSENDEN.