US3590681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing a visual display
Assignee: SONOVISION Inc
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Filing: 1968-11-27
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A device for producing a visual display which is influenced by sound waves including a reflective diaphragm subject to vibration by reason of a sound signal from a source such as music and also subject to a light source reflected from the diaphragm to an appropriate screen wherein the light source which may include a laser light is influenced by the vibrations of the diaphragm to create distinctive patterns on the screen responsive to tones and combinations of tones, it being the purpose to produce a light pattern wherein the dominant spatial frequencies correspond to the dominant sound frequencies as distinguished from color and intensity.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd G Cross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:01
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J5/00; A63J5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An audiovisual system for a visual display of sound dynamics which comprises: a. an audio source, b. a relatively thin membrance positioned adjacent said source to be responsive to air disturbances from said source, said membrane having a reflective thereon, c. a laser light source directed toward said membrane adapted to be reflected from said membrane, and d. a display surface positioned to receive reflective light from said membrane, said light being displayed in patterns having a spatial frEquency corresponding to sound disturbances acting on said membrane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An audiovisual system for a visual display of sound dynamics which comprises: a. an audio source, b. a relatively thin membrance positioned adjacent said source to be responsive to air disturbances from said source, said membrane having a reflective thereon, c. a laser light source directed toward said membrane adapted to be reflected from said membrane, and d. a display surface positioned to receive reflective light from said membrane, said light being displayed in patterns having a spatial frEquency corresponding to sound disturbances acting on said membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
162 words
An audiovisual system for a visual display of sound dynamics which comprises: a. an audio source including an audio amplifier, b. a low frequency speaker and a high frequency speaker receiving the output of said audio amplifier, said speakers being positioned in spaced relation to each other, c. a relatively thin membrane mounted adjacent each speaker to be responsive to the sound waves emitted therefrom, said membranes being positioned at an angle to each other, d. a mirror surface carried by said membranes, e. a laser light source directed to one of said mirror surfaces at an angle wherein it will be reflected to the other of said mirror surfaces, and f. a display plane positioned to receive the multiple reflection from said other mirror surface wherein sound waves emitted from said speakers will influence the respective diaphragms and create a display of spatial frequencies on said display plane, said spatial frequencies being influenced by the vibrations of each of said membranes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
An audiovisual system for a visual display of sound dynamics which comprises: a. an audio source including an audio amplifier, b. a low frequency speaker and a high frequency speaker receiving the output of said audio amplifier, said speakers being positioned in spaced relation to each other, c. a relatively thin membrane mounted adjacent each speaker to be responsive to the sound waves emitted therefrom, said membranes being positioned at an angle to each other, d. a mirror surface carried by said membranes, e. a laser light source directed to one of said mirror surfaces at an angle wherein it will be reflected to the other of said mirror surfaces, and f. a display plane positioned to receive the multiple reflection from said other mirror surface wherein sound waves emitted from said speakers will influence the respective diaphragms and create a display of spatial frequencies on said display plane, said spatial frequencies being influenced by the vibrations of each of said membranes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a system for audiovisual appreciation of sounds such as music, a. means for creating a source of sound in the form of an audio amplifier and speaker system, b. a relatively thin membrane adapted to be responsive to the air disturbances created by said speaker, c. means forming a mirror surface on one side of said membrane, d. a laser light source for projecting a thin beam to said mirror surface, and e. a display plane for receiving reflected light from said mirror surface wherein a person in a position to observe the display plane may also be in a position to hear the audio output of said speaker and observe spatial frequency light patterns of said display plane corresponding to the sound frequencies of said speaker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a system for audiovisual appreciation of sounds such as music, a. means for creating a source of sound in the form of an audio amplifier and speaker system, b. a relatively thin membrane adapted to be responsive to the air disturbances created by said speaker, c. means forming a mirror surface on one side of said membrane, d. a laser light source for projecting a thin beam to said mirror surface, and e. a display plane for receiving reflected light from said mirror surface wherein a person in a position to observe the display plane may also be in a position to hear the audio output of said speaker and observe spatial frequency light patterns of said display plane corresponding to the sound frequencies of said speaker.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for the enjoyment of sound by sensing the audio effect thereof and sensing simultaneously the visual effects thereof in a geometric spatial pattern comprising: a. a source of musical sounds including a speaker outlet to create air vibrations which can reach the ear of an observer, b. a membrane positioned in a relatively taut condition adjacent the speaker outlet wherein the membrane will be mechanically vibrated by the air vibrations of said speaker, c. means forming a reflective surface on said membrane, d. a laser light source directing a thin beam of light toward said membrane, and e. an observation plane positioned to pick up the reflection of said beam from said membrane, wherein a light pattern will be displayed on said observation plane having dominant spatial frequencies which correspond to dominant sound frequencies of the musical sound emitted from said speaker.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for the enjoyment of sound by sensing the audio effect thereof and sensing simultaneously the visual effects thereof in a geometric spatial pattern comprising: a. a source of musical sounds including a speaker outlet to create air vibrations which can reach the ear of an observer, b. a membrane positioned in a relatively taut condition adjacent the speaker outlet wherein the membrane will be mechanically vibrated by the air vibrations of said speaker, c. means forming a reflective surface on said membrane, d. a laser light source directing a thin beam of light toward said membrane, and e. an observation plane positioned to pick up the reflection of said beam from said membrane, wherein a light pattern will be displayed on said observation plane having dominant spatial frequencies which correspond to dominant sound frequencies of the musical sound emitted from said speaker.
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) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |