US4394656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound display apparatus having separation control
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-09-24
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Granted: 1983-07-19
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Expires: 2001-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for displaying the frequency spectrum of an audio signal. Multiple filters (20, 24, 25) are employed to divide an audio signal into signals each having a distinct frequency spectrum. The individual signals are combined to provide a composite reference signal. Individual comparators (26, 27, 28) compare each signal with the reference signal and individual light circuits are turned on and off in response thereto. A separation control (32) is provided to alter the magnitude of the reference voltage whereby a variation in separation between lights is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark T. Goettsche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R3/00; H04R3/12; H04R3/14; A; A63; A63J; A63J17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A light modulated sound display for producing lighting effects from first and second stereophonically related audio signals comprising: (a) summation amplifier for combining said stereophonically related signals; (b) first, second, and third filters for receiving an output signal from said summation amplifier, said filters dividing said signal into first, second and third signals, each containing a portion of the signal frequencies contained in said output signal; (c) first, second and third comparators, each having an input connected to one of said first, second and third filters, and each having a reference input; (d) means for combining a portion of the signal provided by said filters, said means providing a reference signal for each of said comparator's reference input; and (e) first, second and third switching gates connected to drive individual lighting elements, said gates having a control input connected to one of said comparator output terminals, whereby said switching elements are individually controlled to illuminate a lighting element according to the signal energy provided by one of said filters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A light modulated sound display for producing lighting effects from first and second stereophonically related audio signals comprising: (a) summation amplifier for combining said stereophonically related signals; (b) first, second, and third filters for receiving an output signal from said summation amplifier, said filters dividing said signal into first, second and third signals, each containing a portion of the signal frequencies contained in said output signal; (c) first, second and third comparators, each having an input connected to one of said first, second and third filters, and each having a reference input; (d) means for combining a portion of the signal provided by said filters, said means providing a reference signal for each of said comparator's reference input; and (e) first, second and third switching gates connected to drive individual lighting elements, said gates having a control input connected to one of said comparator output terminals, whereby said switching elements are individually controlled to illuminate a lighting element according to the signal energy provided by one of said filters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The display of claim 1 further comprising means for varying the amplitude of said reference signal whereby the separation between the illumination of individual lighting elements is controlled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display of claim 1 further comprising means for combining a timed alternating signal with said reference signal whereby said comparators reference inputs are provided with a composite reference signal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for visually displaying the frequency spectrum of an audio signal comprising: (a) first, second and third filters having different bandpass responses, said filters being connected to receive said audio signal, said filters dividing said audio signal into first, second and third signals having distinct frequency spectrums; (b) means for converting said first, second and third signals into first, second and third DC voltages; (c) means for combining said DC voltages to provide a reference voltage; (d) first, second and third comparators connected to receive said first, second and third DC voltages, respectively, said comparators having a reference input connected to receive said reference voltage; (e) first, second and third light control elements for switching individual light circuits, each of said elements being individually switched in response to a control signal, said light control elements having a control electrode connected to said first, second and third comparators whereby each lighting circuit is illuminated in accordance with the relative energy provided by one of said filters.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for visually displaying the frequency spectrum of an audio signal comprising: (a) first, second and third filters having different bandpass responses, said filters being connected to receive said audio signal, said filters dividing said audio signal into first, second and third signals having distinct frequency spectrums; (b) means for converting said first, second and third signals into first, second and third DC voltages; (c) means for combining said DC voltages to provide a reference voltage; (d) first, second and third comparators connected to receive said first, second and third DC voltages, respectively, said comparators having a reference input connected to receive said reference voltage; (e) first, second and third light control elements for switching individual light circuits, each of said elements being individually switched in response to a control signal, said light control elements having a control electrode connected to said first, second and third comparators whereby each lighting circuit is illuminated in accordance with the relative energy provided by one of said filters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control elements switch an alternating current for illuminating said light circuits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising means for combining said reference signal with an alternating voltage having the same frequency as said light circuits alternating current.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said alternating voltage has a substantially 90° phase shift with respect to said alternating current.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for displaying the frequency spectrum of an audio signal comprising: (a) means for dividing said audio signal into a plurality of frequency limited signals, each of said signals representing a different portion of the frequency spectrum of said audio signal; (b) means for combining said plurality of signals to form a reference signal; (c) comparator means for individually comparing each of said plurality of signals with said reference signal, said comparator means providing a plurality of output signals indicating the magnitude of said reference signal with respect to each of said plurality of signals, and a plurality of switching control circuits, each connected to be operated by one of the plurality of output signals, whereby said circuits individually respond to the amount of energy contained in each of said frequency limited signals.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for displaying the frequency spectrum of an audio signal comprising: (a) means for dividing said audio signal into a plurality of frequency limited signals, each of said signals representing a different portion of the frequency spectrum of said audio signal; (b) means for combining said plurality of signals to form a reference signal; (c) comparator means for individually comparing each of said plurality of signals with said reference signal, said comparator means providing a plurality of output signals indicating the magnitude of said reference signal with respect to each of said plurality of signals, and a plurality of switching control circuits, each connected to be operated by one of the plurality of output signals, whereby said circuits individually respond to the amount of energy contained in each of said frequency limited signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising means for combining a varying voltage to said reference signal whereby said reference signal changes responsively thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: (a) means for dividing a second audio signal into a second plurality of signals; (b) means for combining said second plurality of signals to form a second reference signal; and (c) means for combining said reference signal and said second reference signal whereby a common reference signal is produced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said reference signal and said second reference signals are combined in a weighted relationship.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said weighted relationship is proportioned to the numerical relationship between said plurality and second plurality of signals.
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) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-01-17 | 1987-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-18 | 1991-01-17 | 1991-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-18 | 1995-01-17 | 1995-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |