US3572919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound to light visual vocalization system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-03-11
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Granted: 1971-03-30
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Expires: 1988-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A loudspeaker is closed by a resilient membrane mounted across its mouth and at least one reflective surface is attached to the membrane. The reflective surface receives a beam of light from a stationary source and reflects a spot of light onto a screen positioned in front of the resilient membrane. Sound waves emanating from the speaker cone cause the resilient membrane and attached reflective surface to vibrate in response thereto, thereby causing the reflected light spot to trace visible different patterns on said screen. These patterns help deaf persons learn to vocalize much sooner than they would with conventional therapies.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilson C Hayes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:05
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G10; G10L; G10L21/00; G10L21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns comprising: a. a loudspeaker; b. a screen mounted in front of and spaced a predetermined distance from the mouth of said speaker; c. a resilient membrane disposed in front of the mouth of said speaker, said resilient membrane being effective to vibrate in response to sound waves emanating from said speaker; d. said resilient membrane having an area capable of vibrational response to said sound waves which is smaller by a predetermined amount than the area of the mouth of said speaker; e. at least one reflector mounted on said resilient membrane; and f. means to direct a beam of light at said reflector, said reflector being effective to reflect said light beam onto said screen and to change the position of said light beam on said screen in response to the vibration of said resilient membrane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns comprising: a. a loudspeaker; b. a screen mounted in front of and spaced a predetermined distance from the mouth of said speaker; c. a resilient membrane disposed in front of the mouth of said speaker, said resilient membrane being effective to vibrate in response to sound waves emanating from said speaker; d. said resilient membrane having an area capable of vibrational response to said sound waves which is smaller by a predetermined amount than the area of the mouth of said speaker; e. at least one reflector mounted on said resilient membrane; and f. means to direct a beam of light at said reflector, said reflector being effective to reflect said light beam onto said screen and to change the position of said light beam on said screen in response to the vibration of said resilient membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns as in claim 1, wherein said resilient membrane is made of thin rubber material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device for converting sound waves into optical patterns as in claim 1, wherein said means to direct a beam of light at said reflector comprises in combination a condensing and projecting lens disposed between a light source and a second reflecting mirror, said second reflecting mirror being effective to reflect the beam of light to said first reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns as in claim 1, wherein said speaker is mounted within a wooden enclosure, said enclosure being effective to absorb the back waves generated by the loudspeaker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns as in claim 4, wherein sound absorbing material is mounted in front of said speaker to attenuate background noise.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns as in claim 1, wherein said means to direct a beam of light at said reflector includes a colored filter therein, said colored filter being effective to change the color of the pattern appearing on said screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns as in claim 3 wherein said second reflector has an opaque plate mounted thereon, said opaque plate being effective to absorb light emanating from said condensing-projecting lens falling outside the bounds of said second reflector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a device for converting sound waves into visual patterns, the improvement comprising a resilient membrane disposed in front of the mouth of a loudspeaker, said resilient membrane having an area capable of vibratory response to said speaker substantially less than the area of the mouth of said speaker; at least one reflector mounted on said membrane, said reflector being effective to reflect a beam of light impingent thereon in a pattern congruous with the mode of response of said resilient member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a device for converting sound waves into visual patterns, the improvement comprising a resilient membrane disposed in front of the mouth of a loudspeaker, said resilient membrane having an area capable of vibratory response to said speaker substantially less than the area of the mouth of said speaker; at least one reflector mounted on said membrane, said reflector being effective to reflect a beam of light impingent thereon in a pattern congruous with the mode of response of said resilient member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
201 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns comprising: a. a loudspeaker affixed to a mount; b. a screen mounted in front of and spaced a predetermined distance from the mouth of said speaker; c. a resilient membrane disposed in front of the mouth of said speaker, said resilient membrane being effective to vibrate in response to sound waves emanating from said speaker; d. said resilient membrane having an area capable of vibrational response to said sound waves which is smaller by a predetermined amount than the area of the mouth of said speaker; e. said resilient membrane being mounted in association with the speaker mount; f. at least one reflecting means mounted on said resilient membrane; g. means to direct a beam of light at said reflecting means, said means comprising in combination a condensing and projecting lens disposed between a light source directed toward the said screen and a second reflecting means, said second reflecting means being effective to direct the beam of light to said first reflecting means; and h. said second reflecting means having an opaque plate being effective to absorb light emanating from said condensing-projecting lens falling outside the bounds of said second reflecting means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
201 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns comprising: a. a loudspeaker affixed to a mount; b. a screen mounted in front of and spaced a predetermined distance from the mouth of said speaker; c. a resilient membrane disposed in front of the mouth of said speaker, said resilient membrane being effective to vibrate in response to sound waves emanating from said speaker; d. said resilient membrane having an area capable of vibrational response to said sound waves which is smaller by a predetermined amount than the area of the mouth of said speaker; e. said resilient membrane being mounted in association with the speaker mount; f. at least one reflecting means mounted on said resilient membrane; g. means to direct a beam of light at said reflecting means, said means comprising in combination a condensing and projecting lens disposed between a light source directed toward the said screen and a second reflecting means, said second reflecting means being effective to direct the beam of light to said first reflecting means; and h. said second reflecting means having an opaque plate being effective to absorb light emanating from said condensing-projecting lens falling outside the bounds of said second reflecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns as in claim 9, wherein said means to direct a beam of light at said reflector includes a colored filter therein, said colored filter being effective to change the color of the pattern appearing on said screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device for converting sound waves into visual patterns as in claim 9, wherein sound absorbing material is mounted in front of said speaker to attenuate background noise.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-29 | 1974-09-28 | 1975-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-29 | 1978-09-28 | 1979-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-29 | 1982-09-28 | 1983-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |